Israel launched air strikes this week that destroyed or damaged military bases in Syria that Turkish military teams had inspected as potential deployment sites, four sources told Reuters, pre-empting what they said was Ankara’s plan to expand its presence there.
The sources said Turkish teams had recently visited at least three Syrian air bases as part of preparations for a potential joint defence agreement with Syria’s new government, formed after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December.
Israel struck all three bases, including with heavy bombardment on Wednesday night, the sources said, despite Turkish efforts to reassure Washington that any increased military presence in Syria was not intended to threaten Israel.
The air strikes suggest a possible confrontation between two powerful regional armies over Syria, where a new government formed after Assad’s ouster has caused unease in Israel.
The new rulers in Damascus have alarmed Israel, which fears the presence of Islamist forces near its border and has lobbied Washington to curb Turkey’s growing influence in Syria.
Turkey, a key backer of rebel forces that toppled Assad, is positioning itself to play a major role in reshaping Syria. This could include establishing new Turkish bases in central Syria and using Syrian airspace under a prospective joint defence deal.
Undeclared visits
A regional intelligence official, two Syrian military sources and another Syrian source close to Turkey told Reuters Turkish military teams had visited the Tiyas (T4) and Palmyra air bases in Homs province, and the main airfield in Hama province in recent weeks.
The intelligence official said the Turkish teams evaluated runways, hangars, and other infrastructure.
Another planned visit on March 25 to T4 and Palmyra was cancelled after Israel bombed them just hours before the visit, the sources said.
The intelligence official, who shared images of the damage, said the strike on T4 “destroyed the runway, tower, hangars, and aircraft on the ground and sent a clear message that Israel will not accept expanded Turkish presence.”
A fourth Syrian source close to Turkey said: “T4 is now totally inoperable.”
No official confirmation
A Turkish defence ministry official said reports of developments in Syria should not be taken seriously unless confirmed by official authorities. A Syrian defence ministry spokesperson declined to comment.
On Thursday, Turkey’s foreign ministry called Israel “the biggest threat to regional security”. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told Reuters on Friday that Ankara does not seek conflict with Israel in Syria.
Heavy strikes
Since Assad’s ouster four months ago, Israel has taken control of territory in southwest Syria, opened communication with Druze communities, and bombed much of the remaining heavy weaponry from the former Syrian army. Wednesday’s strikes were the most intense so far.
Syria’s foreign ministry said Israel struck five separate sites within 30 minutes, nearly destroying Hama air base and injuring dozens of civilians and soldiers.
Israel said it hit T4 airbase and other military installations in Hama and Homs, as well as infrastructure near Damascus. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said the strikes were a warning that “we will not tolerate threats to Israel’s security.” Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Turkey of trying to establish a “Turkish protectorate” in Syria.
Middle East policy expert Noa Lazimi from Bar Ilan University said Israel fears Turkey might deploy Russian-made air defence systems and drones at T4, which would threaten Israeli aerial freedom in the area.
Reassurance efforts
Turkey has sought to reassure the U.S. it aims to stabilize Syria, not threaten neighbours.
A senior regional diplomat and a Washington-based source said Fidan told U.S. officials that Syria’s new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, poses no threat to neighbouring countries.
Turkish officials also reportedly told Syria’s new leadership that Ankara was carefully weighing its moves toward a defence pact to avoid angering Washington—though this was not confirmed by Turkey.
A senior official from Turkey’s ruling AK Party told Reuters: “If Syria collapses, Turkey—not Israel—will pay the highest price in the region, including refugee and security issues.”
Soner Cagaptay from the Washington Institute said Turkey and Israel are on an “ideological collision course” but can avoid escalation through U.S. mediation.
Israel has maintained it does not want a confrontation nor any Turkish military entrenchment near its borders. A senior Israeli official told state broadcaster Kan on Friday: “We will work to prevent the establishment of Turkish naval or air bases in Syria.”
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