Yesterday it was being reported that Turkey intended to take over the T4 air base in the Syrian city of Tadmur, and that Israel wasn’t happy with that move. Today, that same base is one of several sites being targeted by Israeli warplanes in Syria, and officials are saying the attacks are meant to “convey a message to Turkey.”
The main focus on the attacks appears to be a research center in Barzeh, in the capital city of Damascus, and strikes were also reported in residential areas of the city of Hama. The most eye-opening attacks have to be on the T4 base, given the timing.
Israel’s Channel 12 is reporting that the IDF confirmed to them T4 was under attack in the course of these strikes. There have also been reports of explosions on the outskirts of Tadmur in the vicinity of the base, though again, it’s not being as widely reported as the other strikes, despite the obvious implications.
Damage and casualty figures are still emerging and are not likely to be finalized for hours, but several injuries are already being reported in Barzeh. Israeli sources seem to be considering the Barzeh and Hama attacks as “military infrastructure,” despite some reports that the Hama strikes were in the residential district. Other reports suggest the Hama strikes targeted a different military airport.
Israel has been attacking Syria every few days for months now, and this is the second time in a couple of weeks that it attacked the T4 site. This time Israeli officials are being very open about the fact that they’re launching these new attacks to send a message to Turkey.
Since the regime change in Syria in December, both Turkey and Israel have been looking to carve out spheres of influence there, with Turkey trying to closely ally with the new Islamist government in Syria through promises of reconstruction aid, and Israel outright invading and seizing territory in the southwest.
Those interests conflict with each other, but the most serious issue right now centers on the T4 base. Israel was expressing concern yesterday that Turkey being at the base would limit their freedom of action in continuing to attack anywhere inside Syria that they wish to. It’s not clear that was the thinking of Turkey too, or if it was just part of their general effort to grow influence inside post-Assad Syria.
Both Israel and Turkey have been trading barbs recently over their respective actions inside Syria, but it hasn’t led to anything like direct military conflict. All indications are that Turkey and its air defenses weren’t present at T4 today at the time of the attack, but the strikes are already provocative, and if they continue after Turkey arrives, it could spark a major conflict.
It would not spark a major conflict. If past behavior poses any indication of future acts, it will be that Turkey's leadership is saying things, does some posing for domestic use and then is obedient to Israel. Turkey is Israel's bitch because Turkey is US's bitch and the US is Israel's bitch. This is why Turkey is in cahoots with the dressed up and rebranded Al Qaida government in Syria in the first place.
I am not so sure. The regional players don't want war, including Turkey. No country is willing to sacrifice the destruction and economy of their countries to prove that they can defeat Israel and America. America couldn't defeat the Taliban and Israel can't defeat Hamas. However, they are brutal in their morality and merciless in their hatred of their enemies. And so the Middle East that has been around for thousands of years will patiently wait it out against the 250 year old bull in a china shop and the 76 year old child who commits parenticide and seeks the mercy of the world because he's an orphan. We have a wise saying "Had the killer been patient with the one he intended to kill, he would have died (on his own)."
How gullible is Euro-American public opinion. On the face of it it looks like Israel is dominating the ME and bombing at will. The ruling elite is spinning it as strength. However, every country in the region is a potential land mine for Israel. If it can't achieve unchallenged hegemony over its neighbors it will cease to exist. Given it has not defeated Hamas, Hezbollah or the Houthis, it won't be able to defeat Iran, Turkey or Syria.
Two things have become crystal clear since October 7, 2023. 1) The REAL "terrorists" in all this are the USA and Israel and 2) as days go by and Israel shows its savage face to the world (again!), it's hard to see how something like O7 could NOT happen after 70 plus long years of Israeli occupation and abuse! The RAPED/ABUSED are treated like the aggressors and the rapists are treated like VICTIMS!
It is seriously the time for the US to review its position with regard to Israel…
Never happening unless the blood sucking and deeply embedded Zionists ticks and fleas are removed from the decaying American carcass.
Cynical much?…
😉
Turkey is a member of NATO. Do NATO countries invoke article 5 and attack Isreal if it attacks Turkey or kills Turkish soldiers in Syria or anywhere else?
Rhetorical question.
Israel has not attacked Turkey. On the other hand, Erdogan has called for the destruction of Israel
Hence the word "if", as the article is implying that may be something that happens. NATO is currently assisting a non member fight a war. Will they assist Turkey if they decided to attack Isreal?
I'd have to think if Turkey invoked Article V, a furious and bullying Trump would threaten Ankara with 1,000,000% tariffs unless they rescind the move.
The USA already sides with the Apartheid State of Israel against American best interests; why would it side with anyone else against the ASI for any reason ??
Pirates in the hire of the Israeli regime attacked a Turkish ship, the Mavi Marmara, in international waters in 2010, murdering ten of its passengers.
I wouldn’t put it quite that way
Most supporters of piracy wouldn’t.
"On the other hand, Erdogan has called for the destruction of Israel"
Irrelevant, a truly non-sequitor statement.
Hah, just asked this before seeing your question !
"All indications are that Turkey and its air defenses weren’t present at T4 today at the time of the attack, but the strikes are already provocative, and if they continue after Turkey arrives, it could spark a major conflict."
I'm not sure when or where the next Summer Olympics are, but we can bet money that the USA will sweep gold in Political Gymnastics if they find themselves in a position where their precious Apartheid State of Israel attacks their precious NATO's member state Turkey and Turkey invokes Article V.
I am so stupid. I know for sure that war is bad, but I'm still confused about whether this is good or bad news for Israel?
Turkey is a PoS. In the end, they’ll tuck their fury tail between their legs and walk away with some proper bribe. The days of the Otoman empire is long gone.
I agree. I succumbed to hope. Hope blinds.
Hope is all we get. Like a hanging rope in pure darkness.
Around the neck
Either by the neck or holding on for dear life not to fall into the darkness.
By doing this, Israel ensures that Turkey will move those Russian-made antiaircraft systems into Syria.
This is not good. Soeculstion that US has some Nato obligstions to Turkey are misplaced, or better put naive. The deal US forced befween HTS and. SDFhas no chsnce of working despite the brbes and support to HTS . Those two forces cannot merge. HTS was from its begining never interested in the wellbeing of people of Syria. SDF WAS EVER inly interested in ira own agenda, snd like HTS Ever deally intefested in tve wellbeing of the populstion they proclaim ti support and defend
Turkeydid much more for Kuds by beating
ISISAT Nar Jarabulus us a d then alBaab