DAMASCUS/TEL AVIV (Agencies): Israel has escalated its airstrikes on Syria, signaling growing concerns over the influence of Islamist factions and Turkish involvement in the region. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of strikes on Syrian military infrastructure late Wednesday, including air bases and a site near Damascus, in what officials described as a clear warning to Syria’s new Islamist rulers and their Turkish allies.
The strikes, which hit targets in the southwest of Syria, came amid reports of militants opening fire on Israeli troops operating in the area. The Israeli military responded with air and ground fire, killing several militants. Syrian state media reported that the Israeli shelling had killed at least nine people in the affected areas.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the attacks were a message to Syria and its allies. “We will not allow the security of the State of Israel to be harmed,” Katz declared, adding that Israeli forces would continue to maintain buffer zones within Syria and take action against any threats. Katz also warned the Syrian government that it would face severe consequences if it allowed hostile forces to operate within its borders.
The escalating military tension comes as Israel voices concerns over Turkey’s growing influence in the region. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar accused Turkey of attempting to turn Syria into a Turkish “protectorate.” Saar criticized Ankara’s role, not only in Syria but also in Lebanon and other regions, describing Turkey’s actions as part of a broader effort to expand its geopolitical reach.
“Their aim is clear — to have Syria under their control,” Saar said during a press conference in Paris. His comments reflect growing Israeli apprehension regarding Turkish support for the new Islamist leadership in Syria, which came to power after the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the Israeli airstrikes, calling them an “unjustified escalation” that seeks to destabilize the country. The ministry urged the international community to pressure Israel to halt its aggression. Despite previous Israeli airstrikes during the Assad regime, which targeted Iranian military positions, this latest wave represents some of the most intensive strikes on Syrian soil since Assad’s ouster.
The strikes focused on five distinct sites within a half-hour window, resulting in the near-total destruction of Hama air base, according to Syrian military sources. The attacks targeted military infrastructure, including runways, control towers, arms depots, and hangars. The Israeli military also confirmed strikes at T4 air base in Homs province, which had been targeted multiple times over the past week.
The IDF’s actions in southwestern Syria also included operations in the Tasil area, where Israeli forces were reportedly confiscating weapons and dismantling terrorist infrastructure. When militants opened fire, Israeli forces responded, eliminating several armed fighters, the military confirmed.
As tensions continue to rise, Israel remains firm in its stance, vowing to counter any military threats in southern Syria that could jeopardize its security. The situation highlights the increasingly complex dynamics of Middle Eastern geopolitics, with both regional and international powers vying for influence in the wake of Syria’s shifting political landscape.