According to a report by Middle East Eye, sources revealed that Turkey has begun taking steps to control the Tiyas Airbase (also known as T4) in Syria and is preparing to deploy air defense systems there. The base is located in central Syria, near the ancient city of Palmyra, and construction plans for the base are also underway. This move signifies a potential shift in the regional power dynamics.
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04-03, 2025Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Ankara and Syria have been negotiating a defense agreement. Under the agreement, Turkey would provide air cover and military protection to the new Syrian government, which currently lacks an effective army. Although Turkish officials had previously downplayed the possibility of stationing troops in Syria, calling such plans premature, negotiations have been quietly ongoing, suggesting a strategic calculation behind the scenes.
Ankara's goal is to use its military capabilities to stabilize the situation in Syria and fill the power vacuum left by the withdrawal of Russia and Iran. Turkey also plans to intensify its efforts to combat the Islamic State (IS), a key condition for the United States to consider withdrawing its troops from the region. Sources said that Turkey will deploy Hisar-type air defense systems at T4 to provide air cover for the base. Once the systems are in place, the base will be rebuilt and expanded, equipped with the necessary facilities, and Ankara also plans to deploy reconnaissance and armed drones with long-range strike capabilities.
Turkey's ultimate goal is to establish a layered air defense system at and around the base, which will have short-range, medium-range, and long-range air defense capabilities against various threats, from jets to drones to missiles. Another source pointed out that the presence of Turkish air defense systems and drones could deter Israel from launching airstrikes in the area. The Turkish Ministry of Defense declined to comment, leaving the specifics of the deployment shrouded in some mystery.
Since the Assad government collapsed in December, Israel has regularly attacked Syrian military facilities, and recent operations around T4 have increased. Last week, the Israeli Air Force attacked T4 and the Palmyra airbase, targeting runways and strategic assets. An Israeli security source said that any Turkish airbase in Syria would undermine Israel's freedom of action, calling it "a potential threat that we oppose." Tensions between Turkey and Israel have escalated since Israel launched its war on Gaza in 2023, ending a brief period of reconciliation between the two countries.
The fall of the Assad government and the rise of Turkey as a major force in Syria have further exacerbated Israel's concerns. Israel now sees Ankara as potentially posing a greater threat in the region than Iran. According to the Jerusalem Post, an Israeli security source said: "We recently attacked the T4 military base to send a message: we will not allow any action that threatens our freedom of operation in the air." This highlights the growing unease in Israel regarding Turkey's expanding influence.
According to Middle East Eye sources, Ankara is considering temporarily deploying S-400 air defense systems to T4 or Palmyra to ensure airspace security during the reconstruction period. However, no final decision has been made, and Russia needs to give its approval. Meanwhile, Ankara and Washington have been negotiating the lifting of sanctions imposed on Turkey for its purchase of Russian-made S-400 systems, which led to Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program in 2019.
Under U.S. law, Turkey must relinquish ownership of the S-400 system to be readmitted. Turkish officials have proposed deactivating the system by dismantling and storing it, or possibly relocating it to a Turkish-controlled base outside of Turkey. However, Israel strongly opposes any move that would allow Ankara to acquire the F-35, believing it would undermine Israel's military advantage in the region. The situation remains complex, with multiple actors vying for influence and strategic advantage.
