|
Trending Topics
|
Source: https://www.ynetnews.com/opinions-analysis/article/hkx7rgfdfx
Israel's Syria Airfield Attack Sends Warning to Turkey and al-Sharaa
(Ynet News) Ron Ben-Yishai - In April 2025, Israeli Air Force jets struck the runways of Syria's T4 military air base, which during the Syrian civil war served Iranian forces transferring advanced air defense systems to Hizbullah and Syria. Arab and international media reported at the time that Israel targeted T4's runways because Turkey, following the collapse of the Assad regime, was seeking to take control of the base and deploy air defense systems and detection radars there. Israel appeared to be drawing a red line. As Turkish troops, engineers and contractors made their way toward the base, Israeli aircraft struck its runways and surrounding areas, signaling that Jerusalem would not accept a Turkish military presence at such a strategically important site. Sophisticated Turkish radar and interception systems there could severely restrict the Israeli Air Force's freedom of action over Syria. The Tuesday night strike against the runways and facilities of Abu al-Duhur military airfield in northwestern Syria was carried out for similar strategic reasons. A Turkish military presence equipped with detection radars as well as missile and aircraft interception systems could pose a serious threat to Israel's ability to operate if fighting with Iran resumes. At the same time, Israel appears determined to avoid a direct confrontation with Turkey. The strike was carried out against areas where no people were present, and certainly no Turkish troops or civilians. The strike also is a message to Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa that Israel will not accept Turkey taking control of strategic positions in Syria in ways that threaten Israeli security interests. U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as President Trump's special envoy for Syria, condemned the strike. His criticism caused little surprise in Israel. Barrack, who is of Lebanese descent, is viewed in Jerusalem as a strong supporter of Turkish President Erdogan and a patron of Syria's President al-Sharaa.