Turkey has begun efforts to take control of Syria’s Tiyas air base, also known as T4, located near Palmyra in central Syria, and is preparing to deploy air defence systems there, reports Middle East Eye citing sources familiar with the matter. Construction plans for the site are also reportedly under way.
Ankara and Damascus have been negotiating a defence pact since December, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad. The agreement would see Turkey provide air cover and military protection for Syria’s new government, which currently lacks a functioning military.
While Israel views a Turkish military presence in Syria as a potential threat, Ankara aims to stabilise the country by leveraging its military capabilities and filling the power vacuum left by the withdrawal of Russia and Iran.
Turkey also intends to intensify its fight against the Islamic State (IS) group, a key condition for the United States to consider withdrawing from the region.
“A Hisar-type air defence system will be deployed to T4 to provide air cover for the base,” MEE report cites the source as saying.
“Once the system is in place, the base will be reconstructed and expanded with necessary facilities. Ankara also plans to deploy surveillance and armed drones, including those with extended strike capabilities.”
The report added that the base would help Turkey establish aerial control across the region and support its efforts to combat IS, which still has cells operating in the Syrian desert.
Ankara eventually aims to establish a layered air defence system in and around the base, which would have short-, medium- and long-range air defence capabilities against a variety of threats, from jets to drones to missiles.
The MEE report, citing another source, noted that the presence of Turkish air defence systems and drones in Syria would likely deter Israel from launching air strikes in the area.
Israel has regularly targeted Syrian military installations since Assad’s government collapsed in December, with a recent surge in operations around T4. Last week, the Israeli air force struck T4 and the Palmyra air base, targeting runways and strategic assets.
An Israeli security source told the media on Monday that any Turkish air base in Syria would undermine Israel’s freedom of operation. “This is a potential threat that we oppose,” the report said.
Tensions between Turkey and Israel have escalated since the start of Israel’s war on Gaza in 2023, ending a brief period of reconciliation between the two countries.
