Israel Strikes Syrian Military Airport Amid Rising Tensions Over Turkish Military Presence

Tensions between Israel and Syria have sharply escalated less than a month after Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa expressed willingness to pursue a comprehensive peace agreement with Israel. In recent days, Israel conducted multiple strikes in Syria, including a significant attack on the Abu al-Duhur military airport last Tuesday. This strike followed Syria's announcement that it would retain its nuclear material for "peaceful purposes," reversing earlier plans to remove it under a U.S.-brokered agreement.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) also targeted a vehicle in the rural Damascus area of Beit Jinn, injuring one person. The IDF stated the attack was against a terrorist posing an immediate threat. Retired Lt. Col. Eyal Dror, former head of humanitarian aid efforts in Syria, confirmed the presence of pro-Hamas elements in Beit Jinn and noted the overall dynamic points toward escalation rather than stabilization. He dismissed al-Sharaa's claims of seeking de-escalation as insincere.

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant revealed the Abu al-Duhur strike was based on intelligence indicating Turkey's intent to deploy radar, air defense systems, and commando forces there, which would threaten Israel's security and aerial freedom. Israel warned Syria multiple times about Turkish troop deployments near Aleppo, which Syria ignored. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized Israel would not tolerate Turkish military entrenchment southward, threatening Israeli security.

Turkey denied Israeli claims of military buildup in Syria, condemning the strikes as illegal violations of Syrian sovereignty and accusing Israel of provoking war. Turkish media framed the attack as a response to Turkey's rising regional influence and linked it to Erdogan's talks with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Turkish officials also accused Netanyahu of political motives behind the escalation, suggesting it aims to bolster his election standing amid declining support.

The U.S. envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, Tom Barrett, hinted the Israeli strike might be a calculated provocation to elicit a Turkish military response, warning of risks for rapid escalation. Israeli officials expressed concern over Barrett's stance, viewing him as aligned with Turkish and Syrian interests, potentially undermining Israel's security concerns. Meanwhile, Israeli intelligence chief Roman Gofman reportedly held high-level talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shaibani days before the strike, discussing Turkish military presence.

Israel maintains it does not seek escalation but will act decisively to prevent Turkish military entrenchment in Syria. The situation remains volatile, with increased military activity on the ground and heightened naval presence by Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean, raising the risk of further confrontations. Both sides continue diplomatic and military maneuvers amid a complex regional power struggle involving Syria, Turkey, Israel, and the United States.