Researcher: Israel opposes Turkish military bases in central Syria

Israel has recently intensified its attacks on Syria with the goal of increasing its own influence on one hand and limiting Turkey’s influence on the other, which could lead to further escalation between the two sides.

 Dr. Huda Rizk, the researcher on Turkish affairs, believes that the Israeli attacks in Syria aim to limit Turkey’s influence. In other words, these attacks are a message to Turkey, firmly rejecting the presence of Turkish military bases in Palmyra and Hama. She pointed out that “the hostile Israeli sorties are an implementation of a prior threat, expressing Israel’s categorical rejection of these military bases.”

 Rizk suggested that “the message has been received by Turkey,” but added that “it is the United States that determines both Israeli and Turkish influence.” She mentioned that when the Turkish Foreign Minister visited the United States, he was seeking American mediation, as he believed Israel had escalated its threats to Syria.

 She added: “Today, after Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, we saw how President Trump told him that he should come to an understanding with Erdoğan, and that the Americans had effectively defined the nature of both Turkish and Israeli influence.”

 Israel recently bombed several military bases in Syria, including the “T4” military airport located near the village of Tiyas, about 60 kilometers east of Palmyra in Homs province, as well as Hama military airport. Several media outlets reported that Turkey had taken steps to control these sites prior to the strikes.

 Regarding Israeli expansion in southern Syria, Huda Rizk made the point clear that: “Israel’s influence in the south is aimed at creating a safe and buffer zone from which it can benefit. This zone being established by Israel is also a demilitarized area.”

 Huda Rizk explained: “So we can say that a large part of southern Syria (the area Israel has reached so far) is the buffer zone that Israel is establishing.”

 As for the area that will be under Erdoğan’s control, according to the Turkish affairs researcher, is the northern part of Syria, with significant Turkish influence in central Syria.

a.k

ANHA