Syria Becomes Battleground in Israel-Turkey Rivalry

## Syria Emerges as New Arena for Regional Power Struggle A recent Israeli airstrike on a Syrian military airfield has thrown a spotlight on a fast-developing dynamic: Syria is increasingly becoming the arena in which the regional rivalry between Israel and Turkey plays out. As Syria rebuilds under a new government following the fall of Bashar al-Assad, both states are jockeying for influence over the country's future. Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes inside Syria over recent years, targeting Iranian and Hezbollah military infrastructure. Following the post-Assad transition, Tel Aviv has continued striking what it characterizes as threats along its northern border, viewing Syrian territory as a potential launching pad for hostile forces. ## Turkey's Growing Footprint in Syria Turkey, by contrast, has expanded its presence in northern Syria and cultivated close ties with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant power that emerged after Assad's ouster. Ankara views Syria as a vital buffer zone and has invested heavily in shaping the country's political and security architecture to align with Turkish interests. The competing visions — Israel seeking to neutralize security threats while Turkey builds political influence and keeps Kurdish armed groups in check — have created an increasingly combustible mix. Analysts warn that as both powers deepen their engagement, the risk of direct or indirect clashes rises. ## Implications for Regional Stability Syria's new government faces the challenge of balancing between powerful external actors with sharply different agendas. The country's fragile institutions and disputed territorial control make it especially vulnerable to being used as a proxy stage by competing regional powers. Diplomats and regional observers note that the Israel-Turkey dynamic adds a new layer of complexity to Syria's already intricate landscape. How Damascus navigates relationships with both Jerusalem and Ankara will be a defining challenge as it attempts to consolidate authority and rebuild a war-ravaged state.