In the southwest region of Syria, a series of Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least nine individuals on Thursday. This development comes amid Israeli allegations that Turkey is attempting to establish a “protectorate” in Syria. The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the victims were civilians, offering no further specifics. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, identified them as armed locals from the Daraa province.
Israel’s strikes extended over five Syrian cities late Wednesday, targeting areas near a strategic air base in Hama. Reports suggest that Turkey, a significant ally of Syria’s interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has vested interests in establishing a military presence there. According to a statement from Syria’s Foreign Ministry, the attacks led to the “near-total destruction” of the Hama military airport and resulted in numerous civilian and military casualties.
During a press conference in Paris, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar accused Turkey of harboring intentions to transform Syria into a Turkish protectorate, a move he labeled as negative. “It’s apparent that they are aiming for control,” he asserted. Sa’ar further elaborated that just as Israel disapproved of Syria being under Iranian influence previously, it also opposes Turkey’s influence today.
In response, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry accused Israel of destabilizing the region. A statement from the Ministry argued that Israel’s actions jeopardize the territorial integrity and unity of countries in the area.
Following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad, Israel has occupied segments of southwestern Syria, creating a buffer zone purportedly to safeguard against armed factions. Critics, however, contend that these military interventions exacerbate instability in Syria, hindering efforts towards long-term peace and reconstruction.
Meanwhile, in the city of Nawa in the western part of the Daraa province, thousands gathered for a funeral procession for those killed. Local activist Imad al Basri reported that Israeli forces made an advance on Nawa for the first time on Thursday, leading to an armed exchange with residents. Following this, Israeli forces retreated, opting to shell and conduct airstrikes in the area. He highlighted that medical aid was obstructed from reaching the casualties until morning and urged Syria’s new rulers to take action.
Earlier confrontations between villagers and Israeli troops transpired in Koawaya province, where residents defied Israeli advances. On Thursday, the Israeli military distributed leaflets in the Koawaya area, advising locals to refrain from bearing arms and crossing certain roads.
Syria’s interim authorities, meanwhile, face challenges in garnering support among non-Sunni Muslim communities. Lingering tensions persist with the Druze community in southern regions, and Alawites on the coast remain apprehensive due to past conflicts involving security forces and Assad loyalists that resulted in violent reprisals. Amnesty International has called for investigations into civilian deaths, labeling them as war crimes and accusing militia groups tied to the government of targeting civilians from the Alawite minority.
In other developments, Syria’s new administration has made strides in building relations with Kurdish-led forces controlling the northeast. Although earlier clashes had occurred between Turkish-backed groups allied with Damascus’s new administration and Kurdish forces, a groundbreaking agreement last month with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces has subdued hostilities.
On Thursday, SANA announced a prisoner exchange in Aleppo between the Syrian Democratic Forces and government-affiliated troops, with a total of 250 detainees anticipated to be released by both parties.