Syria Plans Civilian Airport in Palmyra, Potentially Shifting Regional Influence

Syrian authorities are considering converting a military airfield in Palmyra into a civilian airport to boost tourism, a move that could alter the balance of influence between Turkey and Israel in the region. The Syrian Civil Aviation Authority's head, Omar al-Husseiri, along with the Ministers of Culture and Tourism, and the Governor of Homs Province, visited the Palmyra airfield to assess its suitability for conversion. Al-Husseiri estimates the airport could be operational within six to twelve months, though international certification will take longer. This development follows reports that Turkish military groups had explored future Turkish military presence at airfields in Palmyra and Hama, as well as T4 airbase, in 2025. Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted these sites, with one planned visit by Turkish representatives on March 25, 2025, canceled after preemptive Israeli strikes damaged infrastructure. The article suggests Israel aims to prevent Turkey from establishing military capabilities in Syria that could impede Israeli air operations. Tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria reportedly escalated on August 18, 2026, following an Israeli strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase, which Israel believed Turkey intended to occupy. Both Damascus and Ankara denied these claims, stating their cooperation was limited to training and knowledge transfer. The conversion of the Palmyra airfield is seen as a sign of Syria's focus on economic recovery and tourism, while also highlighting Turkey's challenges in expanding its military presence in Syria without direct confrontation with Israel.