Turkey in Syria: Why Israel Fears Erdogan’s Growing Influence in Damascus
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, accompanied by General Intelligence Service Director Hussein Al-Salama and Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra, meets with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Turkey, Aug. 13, 2025. Photo: Turkish…
Assessment
Israel has crossed a threshold by bombing a Syrian airbase to block Turkish military deployment. This direct military action signals that Jerusalem views Erdogan's expanding footprint in Damascus as a red line, not a diplomatic annoyance. The next question is whether Ankara will retaliate militarily or seek a negotiated buffer, or whether the confrontation escalates further.