Turkey had been considering at least three air bases in Syria for possible military use under a mooted joint defence agreement before Israeli bombardments struck the locations earlier this week, informed sources said.
The attacks reflect growing tensions between two regional powers over conflict-ridden Syria, where Islamist insurgents took control after toppling Bashar al-Assad in December. Israel’s bombardment, including a heavy wave of attacks on Wednesday night, was said to have targeted the very locations Turkish teams had recently inspected, i.e., the T4 and Palmyra air bases in Homs province and the main airport in Hama province.
Turkish military units had been evaluating runway condition, hangars, and other facilities to prepare for an increased role in the newly reordered Syria. A planned visit on March 25 to T4 and Palmyra was cancelled abruptly after Israeli attacks made the T4 base unusable. “It was a strong signal that Israel will not tolerate an expanded Turkish military footprint in Syria,” a regional intelligence official added.
Israel continues to be concerned over the growth of Islamist forces within Syria, suspecting their presence close to its border, and has called upon the US to check Turkey’s rise in the area. Although Ankara has traditionally supported anti-Assad factions, it claims that its deepening engagement is not intended against Israel. On Thursday, Israel was characterized by Turkey’s foreign ministry as “the greatest threat to regional security,” although Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan made it clear on Friday that Turkey does not desire confrontation with Israel in Syria.
A senior official at Turkey’s defence ministry refused to comment on the inspections reported at bases, saying unconfirmed reports not backed by an official source must not be relied upon. Syria’s defence ministry also refused to comment.
The evolving events reflect the fragile power dynamics redefining Syria’s future and the wider regional security calculus.