Rising Tensions Between Israel and Turkey over Military Movements in Syria
Israeli media reported that the Israeli military establishment is expressing significant concern over the possibility of rising tensions with Turkey due to its movements in Syria, amid fears that an exchange of threats between the two sides could restrict the Israeli army’s freedom of action and its ability to conduct operations inside Syrian territory.
Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Tel Aviv faces a dilemma over how to respond to any new Turkish attempt to deploy advanced weapons or technological systems inside Syria, following the Israeli airstrike that targeted the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Idlib province last week.
According to the channel, the Israeli attack sent a direct message to Ankara and Damascus that Israel would not accept the presence of advanced drones, air defense systems, or precision missiles at the military base.
The channel explained that Israeli assessments indicate that Turkey intended to operate these systems itself, but under the cover of participating in rebuilding the Syrian army, which Tel Aviv considers a direct threat to its air superiority and operational freedom of movement in Syria.
Israeli Doubts over Turkish and Syrian Denials
In the same context, Al-Monitor reported that Israeli officials continue to question denials issued by Turkey and Syria regarding plans to expand the Turkish military presence inside Syrian territory, warning that deepening this presence could pose a threat to Israel’s security, as well as potentially increasing tensions in relations between Tel Aviv and Washington.
The website quoted a senior Israeli security source, whose identity was not disclosed, as saying that Turkey had intended to deploy radar systems and attack drones at the Abu al-Duhur airbase under Syrian cover.
The source confirmed that the information underpinning the Israeli assessments was “highly reliable,” adding that the Turks understand that Israel is aware of their plans, as does the Syrian side, stressing that Israel does not intend to allow Turkish forces or military systems to be deployed inside the base.
Israel launched a series of airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase on August 18, targeting its runway and a number of facilities inside it, with no reported casualties, according to Syrian media.
Ankara and Damascus Deny the Existence of a Turkish Base
In response, Turkey denied having any forces or military equipment belonging to it at the Abu al-Duhur base, and rejected Israeli allegations regarding plans to deploy advanced military systems there, arguing that such claims are being used to justify the Israeli attack on Syrian territory.
Syrian Foreign Minister “Asaad Al-Shaibani” also denied that Damascus had plans to establish a Turkish base at the site or permanently deploy Turkish forces, explaining that Abu al-Duhur Airport was undergoing rehabilitation work for use by the Syrian Air Force.
At the same time, Al-Shaibani acknowledged that Turkish officers had visited the base, but explained that this was part of training and military cooperation between the two countries, denying the presence of a Turkish military buildup or arrangements to turn the airport into a base belonging to Ankara.
The conflicting narratives between the two sides reflect the widening Israeli-Turkish dispute over the limits of military influence inside Syria, at a time when Tel Aviv is becoming increasingly sensitive to any deployment of advanced air defense systems on Syrian territory, fearing that their presence could restrict the freedom of movement of Israeli aircraft and their ability to conduct operations.
Thus, the issue of the Turkish military presence in Syria appears to be gradually becoming another point of friction between Ankara and Tel Aviv, particularly as the two sides continue to hold differing assessments regarding the nature and future of Turkey’s role inside Syrian territory.
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Author: Counselor Faisal Al-Mutairi.
Publication Date: August 23, 2026.
Last Updated: August 2026.
