Israel strikes targets across Syria, sends message to Turkey

Israel launched a series of air strikes against Syria on April 2, targeting multiple sites across the country, including several strategic locations, such as the T4 airbase near Homs, the military airport in Hama, and certain suburbs of Damascus. 

Critical infrastructure such as runways, fuel depots, radar systems, and weapon stockpiles abandoned by the forces of former president Bashar al-Assad were hit. Israeli officials have made it clear that they would not hesitate to act to safeguard their security interests, particularly along the Golan Heights border, which separates Israel from Syria. An Israel Defence Forces spokesperson said that the latest operation was aimed at eliminating threats to Israeli civilians. However, it was also an attempt to maintain air superiority and border security. 

Israeli intelligence had been closely monitoring weapons and strategic assets at Syrian military bases in the weeks leading up to the attacks. Security officials said that Turkey had been supporting Syrian rebel groups in establishing weapons production facilities at the T4 base, prompting direct warnings from Israel to Syria’s new leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa. 

The Syrian foreign ministry labelled the strikes an “unjustified escalation” and a “flagrant violation” of the country’s sovereignty, arguing that they went against established international legal norms. 

State media reported that the attacks struck near a defence research centre in Damascus’ Barzeh neighbourhood, causing significant damage to the Hama military airport and injuring dozens of civilians and soldiers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a British-based war monitor, reported that four people, including defence ministry personnel, were killed in the Hama strikes. This rendered the airport entirely inoperable by destroying its remaining planes, runways and control towers. The al-Sharaa administration called the attacks an attempt to destabilise the nation as it seeks to rebuild itself following 14 years of civil war, and accused Israel of normalising violence within its borders.

Israel's stated objective is to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of Syria's new authorities, whom it views with suspicion. There is also a broader historical context to the latest round of attacks. Ever since the 1973 Yom Kippur war when a joint Egypt-Syria invasion took Israel by surprise, Israel has always been keen to maintain a demilitarised buffer zone at its border with Syria. This was formalised under a ceasefire agreement concluded with Damascus in 1974. For several decades, Israel trusted the Assads to maintain the sanctity of the buffer zones. However, following Bashar al-Assad's ouster in December, Israeli forces have moved into this zone and beyond, establishing outposts and fortifications to counter likely threats.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has now declared the ceasefire defunct, demanding the complete demilitarisation of southern Syria. Defence Minister Israel Katz has indicated that Israeli troops could remain in the buffer zone indefinitely, conducting raids deeper into Syrian territory to neutralise risks.

The latest military buildup extends into the neighbouring Lebanon as well, in order to prevent another surprise attack like the one led by Hamas in October 2023, raising fears of a prolonged occupation in both countries. In Syria, Israel has set up at least nine outposts in the south — including watchtowers, housing modules and roadblocks — with IDF units deployed beyond the buffer zone to strategic locations like the village of Kodana. This shows Israel's lack of trust in the interim government under Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Meanwhile, it will be interesting to watch the growing role of Turkey in Syria. Observers say Ankara has plans to take control of the T4 airbase, planning to use it as a hub to deter Israeli air strikes and also to target Islamic State. Turkey, being is a key backer of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led by al-Sharaa, is steadily gaining ground in Syria. It could be on the way to fill the vacuum left by the withdrawal of Russia and Iran. Turkey has been negotiating a defence pact with the al-Sharaa government, with Ankara offering air cover and military support to a regime that lacks a functional military. 

According to reports, Turkey intends to deploy air defence systems, including the Hisar-type system, and drones to T4, with plans to reconstruct and expand the base. Longer-term ambitions include establishing a layered defence network capable of countering jets, drones and missiles, potentially involving Russian-supplied S-400 systems, though this remains undecided.

Israel views this Turkish presence as a direct threat to its operational freedom in Syrian airspace. An Israeli security source warned that a Turkish airbase in Syria would undermine Israel's ability to conduct strikes, describing it as a "potential threat that we oppose". 

The recent airstrikes on T4, which damaged its runway and taxiways, seem to have been an attempt to thwart Turkey's plans, making it difficult to land heavy transport planes or deliver advanced equipment. Satellite imagery has confirmed the extent of the damage, showing large craters that have rendered the base largely unusable for now. An Israeli official explained that the attacks were a clear message to Ankara: "Do not establish a military base in Syria and do not interfere with Israeli activity in the country's skies." 

The escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey reflect broader shifts in the region, following Assad's ouster. Attacking key military sites like Hama and T4 shows that Israel is keen to deny Syria and Turkey any strategic upper hand. These actions, however, could intensify hostilities between Israel and Turkey, which could further complicate Israel's regional security calculations. 

The Israeli strikes could inadvertently bolster Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's position as well. Erdogan, who styles himself as a leader of the Muslim world, could capitalise on the attacks to enhance his clout. By targeting Syria, Israel could be pushing Damascus closer to Ankara. Should the attacks intensify, the al-Sharaa administration might request Turkish military support, positioning Ankara as a new adversary on Israel's borders, replacing Iran and Hezbollah.