‘Turkish intelligence has become highly influential in Syria’
In the aftermath of the Israeli airstrike on a Syrian airbase, reportedly to prevent the installation of an advanced Turkish radar and surface to air missile system that could have jeopardized Israeli Air Force freedom of movement, Jerusalem continues to view Ankara’s ambitions in Syria with deep suspicion.President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is following a neo-Ottoman trajectory seeking to assert Turkish dominance throughout the region, with Syria in particular in his sights following the December 2024 rise to power of Ahmed al-Sharaa and Hayat al-Tahrir, whom Turkey had backed for years as rebels against the Assad regime.Lt. Col. (res.) Marco Moreno, a former senior officer in the IDF Human Intelligence Unit 504 responsible for the Lebanon and Syria arenas, told JNS that Israel’s Aug. 18 strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib, not far from the Turkish border, showed that Jerusalem sees Damascus’s rebuilding of its military relationship with Ankara…
An Israeli airstrike on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase on August 18, reportedly to prevent the installation of an advanced Turkish radar and surface-to-air missile system, reflects Israel's concern over Ankara's growing influence in Syria. Lt. Col. (res.) Marco Moreno stated, "a strategic Syrian decision has been made to link up with Turkey in order to rebuild the Syrian army’s military capabilities." He noted that Turkish intelligence has become highly influential in Syria, replacing Iran as a central external player. Professor Eyal Zisser, however, suggests that while Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is dependent on Turkey, he is also attempting to maneuver around this by improving ties with Gulf states, the U.S., and Israel. Defense Minister Israel Katz visited Mount Hermon, emphasizing Israel's resolve to protect its borders from jihadist threats.
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