Rising Tensions and Strategic Interests Explained
Israel has launched a series of attacks across Syria, escalating regional tensions and drawing condemnation from Damascus. The Syrian government labeled the assaults a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty, with Israeli officials claiming the strikes serve as a warning to prevent threats against Israel’s security.
On April 2, Israeli air raids nearly destroyed Syria’s Hama airbase and injured dozens, according to Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other strikes hit the T4 airbase near Palmyra—one of Syria’s largest and most strategically vital military installations—due to its central location and direct routes to Damascus and Homs. On the same day, Israeli shelling in Deraa’s Nawa area killed nine civilians and wounded several others.
Despite no formal relations between Syria and Israel, tensions have intensified since the fall of Syria’s former President Bashar al-Assad. The current transitional government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, insists it does not seek conflict and will not allow Syria to be used as a staging ground for attacks on Israel.
Israel, however, views the new government as hostile and accuses it of being linked to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an armed group that played a key role in overthrowing Assad. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have vowed to block any forces aligned with HTS from entering areas near Israeli-occupied territory.
Strategic land grabs have followed. Israeli forces have entrenched themselves in Syrian territory, including areas around the Yarmouk riverbed and the al-Wehda Dam. During Passover, Israeli soldiers reportedly guided tourists on hikes through these seized Syrian lands, raising concerns over the normalization of occupation.
Experts suggest that Israel is also aiming to limit Turkey’s growing influence in post-war Syria. In diplomatic backchannels, Israel has allegedly urged the U.S. to support continued Russian military presence in Syria rather than backing NATO ally Turkey.
Turkey has responded strongly, calling on Israel to withdraw from Syrian territories and end its expansionist policies. Turkey maintains close ties with Syria’s transitional government and played a crucial role during the civil war.
According to Syrian writer and co-author of Burning Country, Robin Yassin Kassab, Syria’s options for response are limited due to its war-torn economy and weakened military infrastructure. He emphasizes that the resistance seen in Homs and Hama is mostly from local civilians, not government troops, and criticizes the global community’s silence.
“The international community is doing nothing to stop Israel’s escalation,” Kassab said, noting that Israel frames local Syrian resistance as HTS fighters to justify continued attacks.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/8/explainer-why-is-israel-attacking-syria