Israel hit Syrian bases scoped by Turkey, hinting at regional showdown, sources say
Source: Reuters
Exclusive-Israel hit Syrian bases scoped by Turkey, hinting at regional showdown, sources say
Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Jonathan Spicer
Fri, April 4, 2025 at 11:10 AM EDT 4 min read
AMMAN/ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey scoped out at least three air bases in Syria where it could deploy forces as part of a planned joint defence pact before Israel hit the sites with air strikes this week, four people familiar with the matter said.
The bombardment signals the risks of a deepening rift between two powerful regional militaries over Syria, where Islamist rebels have installed a new government after toppling former leader Bashar al-Assad in December.
The Israeli strikes on the three sites Turkey was assessing, including a heavy barrage on Wednesday night, came despite Ankara's efforts to reassure Washington that a deeper military presence in Syria was not intended to threaten Israel.
The Islamists replacing Assad have alarmed Israel, which is wary of an Islamist presence on its border and has lobbied the United States to curb Turkey's growing influence in the country.
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