Israel Bombs Syria Into Submission — Is Turkey the Next Target?
As Israeli airstrikes reduce Syrian air bases to rubble, a new war of words erupts between Jerusalem and Ankara — who will control Syria’s future?
Israel has dramatically escalated its airstrikes in Syria, targeting key military installations near Damascus and obliterating the Hama air base in one of the most intense bombing campaigns since Bashar al-Assad’s fall. The strikes, which killed at least nine people and wounded dozens, were framed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz as a “clear warning” to Syria’s new Islamist rulers. But beyond the immediate military objectives, Israel is sending another message — this time to Turkey, which it accuses of turning Syria into a “Turkish protectorate.”
The diplomatic fallout was immediate. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry fired back, labeling Israel the “greatest threat to regional security” and demanding its withdrawal from Syrian territory. Ankara’s sharp rebuke underscores the deepening rivalry between the two regional powers, both vying for influence in post-Assad Syria. While Turkey backs Islamist factions now governing Damascus, Israel has been quietly expanding its buffer zone in the southwest, protecting minority groups like the Druze and systematically dismantling Syria’s remaining military infrastructure.
The destruction of the Hama air base marks a strategic turning point. A Syrian military source told Reuters that Israeli strikes demolished runways, control towers, and weapons depots, rendering the facility unusable. Meanwhile, Israel also hit the T4 air base in Homs — a recurring target — as well as a scientific research facility near Damascus, long suspected of hosting Iranian-backed militias. These strikes suggest Israel is methodically eliminating any remaining threats before Syria’s new rulers can consolidate power.
But the bigger battle may be geopolitical. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar openly accused Turkey of playing a “negative role” in Syria and Lebanon, claiming Ankara seeks to dominate Damascus as a vassal state. With Turkish-backed factions now in control of Syria’s government, Israel fears a hostile northern neighbor aligned with Iran and Hamas. Saar’s remarks in Paris signal that Israel is preparing for a long-term confrontation — not just with Syria, but with Turkey’s expanding influence.
On the ground, tensions are boiling over. In southwestern Syria, Israeli troops clashed with militants during a raid beyond the separation zone, killing several gunmen. Locals reported that Israeli forces destroyed a former Syrian army encampment, reinforcing Israel’s policy of preemptive strikes against any perceived threats. The Israeli military made it clear: “We will not allow a military threat to exist in Syria.”
As the dust settles from the latest bombings, one thing is certain: Syria has become the battleground for a proxy war between Israel and Turkey. With Iran still lurking in the shadows and the U.S. largely disengaged, the region is hurtling toward a new era of conflict. Will Israel’s relentless strikes force Damascus into submission, or will Turkey’s ambitions spark an even wider confrontation?
Israel has dramatically escalated its airstrikes in Syria, targeting key military installations near Damascus and obliterating the Hama air base in one of the most intense bombing campaigns since Bashar al-Assad’s fall. The strikes, which killed at least nine people and wounded dozens, were framed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz as a “clear warning” to Syria’s new Islamist rulers. But beyond the immediate military objectives, Israel is sending another message — this time to Turkey, which it accuses of turning Syria into a “Turkish protectorate.”
The diplomatic fallout was immediate. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry fired back, labeling Israel the “greatest threat to regional security” and demanding its withdrawal from Syrian territory. Ankara’s sharp rebuke underscores the deepening rivalry between the two regional powers, both vying for influence in post-Assad Syria. While Turkey backs Islamist factions now governing Damascus, Israel has been quietly expanding its buffer zone in the southwest, protecting minority groups like the Druze and systematically dismantling Syria’s remaining military infrastructure.
The destruction of the Hama air base marks a strategic turning point. A Syrian military source told Reuters that Israeli strikes demolished runways, control towers, and weapons depots, rendering the facility unusable. Meanwhile, Israel also hit the T4 air base in Homs — a recurring target — as well as a scientific research facility near Damascus, long suspected of hosting Iranian-backed militias. These strikes suggest Israel is methodically eliminating any remaining threats before Syria’s new rulers can consolidate power.
But the bigger battle may be geopolitical. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar openly accused Turkey of playing a “negative role” in Syria and Lebanon, claiming Ankara seeks to dominate Damascus as a vassal state. With Turkish-backed factions now in control of Syria’s government, Israel fears a hostile northern neighbor aligned with Iran and Hamas. Saar’s remarks in Paris signal that Israel is preparing for a long-term confrontation — not just with Syria, but with Turkey’s expanding influence.
On the ground, tensions are boiling over. In southwestern Syria, Israeli troops clashed with militants during a raid beyond the separation zone, killing several gunmen. Locals reported that Israeli forces destroyed a former Syrian army encampment, reinforcing Israel’s policy of preemptive strikes against any perceived threats. The Israeli military made it clear: “We will not allow a military threat to exist in Syria.”
As the dust settles from the latest bombings, one thing is certain: Syria has become the battleground for a proxy war between Israel and Turkey. With Iran still lurking in the shadows and the U.S. largely disengaged, the region is hurtling toward a new era of conflict. Will Israel’s relentless strikes force Damascus into submission, or will Turkey’s ambitions spark an even wider confrontation?
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