If you’ve been following along here, you’re already aware that Turkey and Israel have been at serious odds regarding Syria.
As mentioned previously the situation was getting serious.
Turkish fighter jets reportedly issued electronic warning signals and engaged in jamming operations late on Friday in an effort to deter Israeli aircraft operating in Syrian airspace, amid a new wave of airstrikes across the country.
The rare move came as Israeli warplanes launched attacks on multiple sites, including in the Hama and Damascus regions, drawing renewed scrutiny over ongoing violations of Syrian sovereignty.
Syria’s official news agency SANA reported that one civilian was killed and several others wounded in Israeli attacks on the outskirts of Harasta and the city of al-Tall near Damascus during Friday’s bombardment.
The Israeli Broadcasting Authority confirmed the Turkish interference, reporting that “Turkish aircraft are sending warning signals and jamming Israeli fighter jets to make them leave Syrian airspace.”
Turkish officials have voiced increasing frustration at Israel’s expanding operations in Syria, which Ankara regards as a threat to its interests and to regional stability.
Just two days prior, Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had called on Israel to halt its airstrikes, warning that “at this sensitive stage for Syria, it is the duty of the international community to contribute to establishing security and stability in Syria”.
“In this context, Israel must put an end to its airstrikes, which harm efforts toward Syria’s unity and territorial integrity,” the statement added.
In a surprising development, sources told Al Jazeera that an Israeli military helicopter briefly landed in Suwayda before departing, with no reason given for it.
The Israeli military later announced it had targeted anti-aircraft batteries and surface-to-air missile infrastructure, stating it would continue to “act as necessary to protect the citizens of the State of Israel”.
The most politically charged strike came a day earlier, near the presidential palace in Damascus. In a joint statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Yoav Gallant framed the attack as a “warning message” to the Syrian government, vowing not to tolerate any deployment south of Damascus or threats to the Druze minority.
Israel has tried to position itself as a “protector” of the Druze community in Syria, saying that it has intervened in the country to protect them.
However most Syrian Druze have distanced themselves from Israel and on Friday, an airstrike on the southern Syrian province of Suweida killed four Druze citizens.
Many believe Israel is attempting to destabilise Syria by fuelling and exploiting existing sectarian tensions. Israel has openly stated its wish to split Syria along ethnic and sectarian lines.
Druze leaders, however, have recently released a video affirming their loyalty to a united Syrian state and rejecting calls for division or secession.
There is now way in heck Israel cares about the Druze.