Escalating Turkish Israeli tensions and accusations back and forth over airstrikes and airbases in Syria

TEL AVIV/ANKARA — Turkey and Israel are on a collision course over Syria. The tense situation between Syria’s two neighbors continues amid Israeli bombardments. Turkey has denounced Israel’s recent airstrikes on Syrian territory, including on sites Turkey planned to establish air basis in, while Israel has accused Turkey of attempting to impose its guardianship over Syria, or, as Israeli officials put it, to turn the country into a “Turkish protectorate.” 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated in an interview with Reuters that Turkey does not seek any confrontation with Israel inside Syrian territory. However, he indicated that Israeli attacks undermine the Syrian Transitional Government’s (STG) ability to confront the terrorist organization of Islamic State and other security threats. Fidan’s words signal a slight softening of tone compared to Turkey’s previously harsh rhetoric toward Israel.  

His statements came after Fidan demanded Israel withdraw from Syrian territory. “Israel is the biggest threat to regional security and a source of instability,” Fidan declared in an official statement. 

Israel stated that the airstrikes it carried out since Wednesday night were a direct warning to the STG not to allow Turkey to place Syria under Turkish control through agreements and on-the-ground moves. 

Reuters reported that Turkey has inspected 3 sites for airbases in Syria in recent weeks as part of a planned joint defense agreement with the STG. The inspections included the T-4 airbase, the Tadmur (Palmyra) airbase in Hmoth (Homs) and the main airport in Hemto (Hama), prompting Israel to view these moves as a direct threat to its interests in the region.