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Israel and Turkey’s Growing Clash in Syria

A heightened confrontation between Israel and Turkey is emerging over their respective influences in Syria, presenting significant challenges for the newly-established Syrian government.

This week, Israel conducted airstrikes against various military targets in Syria, which included attacks on the Hama military airport and the T4 airbase located near Homs. The Syrian foreign ministry reported substantial damage to the Hama base, with a prominent human rights organization indicating that these strikes resulted in the deaths of four defense ministry personnel and injuries to others.

The airstrikes were not merely a response to Syrian military activity but were interpreted as a direct message to Turkey, with Israeli officials openly criticizing Ankara’s involvement in Syria. Israel’s foreign minister labeled Turkey as a contributor to instability in the region, while the defense minister warned Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, about the severe consequences of allowing hostile forces to operate within Syrian territory.

Currently, Turkey is in talks to establish a mutual defense agreement with Sharaa’s administration, and there have been indications that Turkish military assets, including aircraft and defense systems, may be deployed to the T4 and Aleppo airbases in Syria.

Analysts have noted contrasting levels of intensity in Israel’s air campaigns, suggesting that the Israeli strikes on Hama airport may reflect a calibrated approach that aims to deter Turkey without escalating the conflict into full-blown warfare.

The relationship between Israel and Turkey has deteriorated since the onset of the October 2023 Gaza war, with Turkey imposing trade restrictions and issuing accusations of genocide against Israel. This growing regional tension is manifesting in Syria, compounding the volatility of an already fragile state.

In response to Israel’s recent airstrikes, the Turkish foreign ministry accused Israel of exacerbating chaos and terrorism in the region, labeling it as a significant threat to regional stability. However, foreign minister Hakan Fidan was quoted as saying that Turkey is not seeking a confrontation with Israel and acknowledges Syria’s right to develop its own policies regarding the southern neighbor.

Sharaa’s administration has expressed a desire for peaceful relations, seeking to establish stability after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. In interviews, Sharaa has indicated that Syria does not aim to pose any threat and has even suggested potential diplomatic normalization with Israel, although he regards it as premature to discuss such matters openly.

While focusing on internal cohesion, Sharaa faces significant challenges from ongoing Israeli military actions, which complicate efforts to secure peace with neighboring countries. Israeli operations in Syria, aimed at preventing ammunition and military capabilities from reaching hostile actors, escalate tensions with external powers like Turkey and provoke reactions from internal factions, including jihadist groups operating in southern Syria.

Israel remains deeply skeptical of Sharaa, given his past leadership role in the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, as well as the backing the new government receives from Turkey. As part of its strategic maneuvers, Israel continues to target military infrastructures left behind by the previous regime, asserting that these strikes are crucial to preventing them from falling into the wrong hands.

Additionally, Israel has maintained a military presence in a demilitarized buffer zone, a relic from the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, and has conducted regular incursions into southern Syria to prevent any armed groups or Syrian government forces from solidifying their positions.

Recent Israeli bombardments have resulted in numerous civilian casualties. For instance, reports from Deraa indicated that at least nine civilians lost their lives in the wake of intensified Israeli operations, marking a significant escalation in the conflict.

Some Syrians, shocked by Israel’s continued military actions, express disillusionment. Many had held hope that with Assad’s downfall, a new era of less hostile Israeli-Syrian relations could emerge. Public sentiment is shifting, as individuals like Ismail, a restaurant owner, lament that Israel’s ongoing assaults have led them to view it as an adversary of the Syrian populace rather than simply a foe of the Assad regime.

The internal fragmentation of Syria complicates Sharaa’s governance while also making the country susceptible to external influences and interventions. This historical backdrop includes deep-seated sectarian divisions, exacerbated by years of authoritarian governance under the Assad family.

Sharaa’s efforts to unify diverse communities were recently interrupted by violent outbreaks in regions loyal to the former regime, marked by tragic events that saw significant loss of Alawite lives at the hands of insurgent forces.

With the collapse of Assad’s reign marked by a perceived opportunity for reconciliation, the lingering effects of prolonged conflict fueled by external powers loom large. The potential for foreign interests to exacerbate Syria’s already precarious situation remains a critical concern.

Source
www.bbc.com