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Israel carried out a series of coordinated airstrikes across Syria targeting military infrastructure, describing the move as a direct warning to both Syria’s interim government and Turkey amid rising regional tensions.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, back in December, Syria’s long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad was overthrown after 13 years of brutal civil war, marking a major shift in the region’s power dynamics. In his place, Ahmed al-Sharaa—leader of the Islamist group Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate still designated as a terrorist organization by the UN and multiple Western countries—assumed control. His rise has raised serious concerns among Western allies about Syria’s future and the potential for renewed extremist influence. In the wake of Assad’s fall, Israel ramped up military operations across Syria, specifically targeting naval ports, airbases, and suspected chemical weapons storage facilities. These strikes have essentially brought Syria’s military back to the stone age and are part of a broader Israeli strategy to prevent hostile forces from gaining access to advanced weaponry or strategic footholds that could threaten Israeli national security. Israel also deployed troops into border areas within Syria, arguing the move was necessary to create a buffer zone.
What’s going on now: According to Israeli media, the Israeli military executed a series of precision airstrikes overnight targeting strategic military sites across Syria, including the Hama and Tiyas Air Base, as well as infrastructure in Damascus linked to weapons research. The strikes aimed to dismantle remaining military capabilities from the Assad era that Israel believes could fall into the hands of hostile forces aligned with Iran, Turkey, or extremist factions.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that at least four Syrian defense ministry personnel were killed and dozens injured, with extensive damage inflicted on the Hama airbase and critical portions of the Tiyas runway rendered inoperable. Additional targets included rail lines, aircraft hangars, and a facility previously linked to chemical weapons programs.
Israel framed the attacks as a necessary move to prevent the militarization of Syria under the country’s new leadership and to send a warning to both Syria’s interim President, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and Turkey. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Syria would face severe consequences if it permitted the presence of any forces deemed hostile to Israeli interests, hinting specifically at Turkey’s growing involvement.
Turkey condemned the Israeli strikes, accusing Israel of intentionally destabilizing the region and obstructing efforts to restore Syrian sovereignty. Turkey is especially pissed, as it’s currently working to broker a defense agreement with Syria and establish a military presence at within the country. There’s been talk the base could house S-400 air defense systems made by Russia.
