![A view of Al Qunaitra, where, over the past year since the fall of the Assad regime, the Israeli army has detained more than 40 people, established nine military bases in and around civilian settlements and strategic hills, and took over approximately 12,000 acres of land in the province in southern Syria on December 17, 2025. [Bakr Al Kasem - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AA-20251222-40048265-40048254-ISRAELI_MILITARY_EXPANSION_IN_SYRIAS_QUNEITRA_PROVINCE.jpg?fit=920%2C613&ssl=1)
Tensions are rising between Israel and Turkey over the Turkish presence in Syria. Two Western intelligence sources told i24NEWS on Thursday that Turkey has been working in recent weeks to deploy radar systems inside Syrian territory.
The move is expected to significantly limit Israel’s freedom of movement in Syrian airspace. It could also affect Israel’s ability to use Syrian airspace to carry out operations in other areas, including Iran.
According to foreign reports, the deployment of Turkish radars in Syria would allow Turkey to track the movement of Israeli aircraft in Syrian skies, even while they are passing through on their way to missions in Iraq and Iran. This capability could place major restrictions on the operational freedom of the Israeli air force.
An Israeli security source told the website that the possibility of Turkey establishing a military base in Syria represents a “potential threat”. The source added: “If a Turkish air base is established, this would harm Israel’s freedom of action in Syria.”
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