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Source: https://www.israelhayom.com/2026/08/26/israel-syria-strike-turkey-erdogan-red-lines/
Turkey's Push to Entrench Itself near Aleppo Forced Israel's Hand in Syria
(Israel Hayom) Meir Ben Shabbat - Israel had detected Turkish plans to establish a foothold at an airfield south of its own lines, near Aleppo, Syria; shared intelligence on Turkey's intentions with Washington; and separately passed a direct warning to regime officials in Damascus. The Israeli air force strike on the Abu al-Duhur military airfield aimed to prevent a shift in the regional balance of power and protect Israel's freedom of action. Acting early, before a new and harder-to-reverse reality took hold, made more sense than waiting until entrenched Turkish assets raised the stakes of any future confrontation. Israel struck only after its warnings went unanswered. Since Assad's regime collapsed and Iran's military presence was pushed out, Turkey has become the central power broker in Syria, rebuilding infrastructure and standing up Syria's air force and army. It's deepening its grip through energy projects, trade corridors, transportation networks and phosphate mining. The writer, head of the Misgav Institute for National Security and Zionist Strategy, headed Israel's National Security Council (2017-2021) and served for 25 years in the Israel Security Agency.