Israel has informed the United States that Turkey was preparing to deploy a radar system and air-defence assets at a Syrian military airbase, according to a report by Israel's state-owned Kan TV News. Israeli security officials reportedly conveyed to Washington that the alleged Turkish move could 'significantly' alter the regional balance of power.

The Airbase at the Centre of the Dispute

Sources familiar with the discussions told the channel that Israel did not provide a timetable for the possible Turkish deployment. However, they identified Abu al-Duhur military airport in northwest Syria as the potential site. The Israeli Air Force struck the same airbase on Tuesday, an attack that further strained already tense relations between Ankara and Jerusalem.

Why Israel Struck — and What Officials Said

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were carried out in response to 'clear intelligence' about Turkey's intentions to act in ways that would 'endanger' Israel's security. He added that Syria had received a diplomatic warning before the strike was authorised.

Katz elaborated that prior to the operation, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and he had held several discussions with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and senior security officials. 'Following several discussions that Prime Minister [Benjamin Netanyahu] and I held with the IDF and the various security officials, it was agreed that before approval was given, a direct warning would be issued to the Syrian regime at the highest levels first in an attempt to prevent the move, and that is what was done,' Katz said. He added: 'After the request went unanswered, the prime minister and I authorized the IDF to carry out the strike, which commenced successfully.'

US Caught Off Guard

US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack said Israel did not inform the United States of the attack in advance — a disclosure that underscores the limits of real-time coordination between the two close allies on Syrian operations. An Israeli official separately stated that the strikes were aimed at preventing the arrival of Turkish equipment or troops by air at the airbase, according to reports.

Broader Regional Implications

The episode marks a significant escalation in the triangular tensions between Israel, Turkey, and Syria. Turkish military presence at a Syrian airbase would represent a tangible shift in the northwest Syrian security architecture — one that Israeli officials argue directly threatens their strategic depth. This comes amid a broader contest over influence in post-conflict Syria, where multiple external actors, including Turkey, Russia, and Iran, have maintained or sought military footholds. The Israeli strikes, and the intelligence-sharing with Washington that preceded them, signal that Jerusalem intends to contest any such foothold that it deems a threat. How Ankara responds — diplomatically or militarily — will determine whether this remains a contained incident or escalates further.