ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Thursday accused Turkey of playing a “negative role” in multiple regional countries and adopting an "aggressive attitude" toward the Kurdish administration in northeastern Syria (Rojava). In response, Ankara condemned the “provocative” statements from Israeli officials and accused Tel Aviv of acting as a “destabilizing factor” in the region. Speaking to reporters, Saar stated that Israel is “indeed worried by Turkey’s … negative role in Syria” and its “negative role in Lebanon,” accusing Ankara of having “aspirations all over the region and in other regions of the world.” He claimed that Turkey is doing its “utmost to have Syria as a Turkish protectorate,” adding that “we don't think that it was good when Syria was an Iranian proxy” and “we don't think that Syria should be a Turkish protectorate.” Saar also criticized Ankara’s “aggressive attitude towards the Kurdish autonomy, Rojava, in the northern part of Syria.” Ankara has carried out several military operations against Kurdish forces in Rojava who it considers a security threat. The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in early March said that Turkey and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA) have carried out “intensified attacks” on Tishreen Dam and Qere Qozaq bridge since December, when a coalition of rebels led by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Bashar al-Assad’s regime after taking Damascus. The dam's strategic location is critical for Turkey and the SNA, as its capture could pave the way for an advance into other parts of Rojava. The Turkish foreign ministry snapped back at the Israeli minister’s remarks, labelling them as “provocative” and reflecting the “aggressive and expansionist policies of the extremist and racist Israeli government.” Ankara accused Tel Aviv of being “the biggest threat” to regional security, particularly through its attacks on "the territorial integrity and national unity of countries.” Since the fall of Assad, Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes on key infrastructure in Syria. It has also renewed its war with Hamas in Gaza and has struck alleged Hezbollah targets in Lebanon despite a ceasefire. “Despite the absence of any provocation or attack from Syria against Israel, the continuous attacks on Syria can only be interpreted as a sign that Israel's foreign policy is fueled by conflict,” the Turkish foreign ministry said, urging Israel to stop “undermining efforts to establish stability in Syria” and acting as a “strategic destabilizing factor in the region.” Israel on Wednesday targeted sites near the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) in Barzeh, north of Damascus, as well as the Hama military airport and the strategic Tiyas Air Base, widely known as T4, in Homs. “The Air Force’s activity yesterday… sends a clear message and serves as a warning for the future,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Thursday. Addressing Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, Katz said, “I warn Syrian leader Jolani: If you allow hostile forces to enter Syria and threaten Israeli security interests, you will pay a heavy price,” according to a statement reported by AFP. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) on Thursday said 18 Israeli strikes “killed four defense ministry [personnel] and injured 12 others” at the Hama military airport and left the airport “completely out of service.” The UK-based war monitor also reported seven other airstrikes on the T4 Air Base and its vicinity, “leading to human losses.” The total number of Israeli air raids on Syrian territories on Wednesday reached 25, according to SOHR. Daraa health officials reported on Wednesday that at least nine civilians were killed and 23 others were injured in the Israeli raids, according to a statement from Daraa province’s official channel on Telegram. Earlier in the day, the Israeli military said it had also conducted an infiltration operation, “confiscating weapons and destroying terrorist infrastructure” along Syria’s southern border with Israel, in Daraa province. Since the ouster of Assad, Israel has intensified efforts to destroy Damascus's military stockpiles. Israeli forces have also entered a buffer zone east of the annexed Golan Heights, justifying this as a security precaution amid Syria’s ongoing political instability. Katz said on Thursday that Israeli forces “will continue to operate on the summit of Mount Hermon and in security and buffer zones to protect” Israeli communities in the Golan Heights and Galilee. According to SOHR, since the beginning of 2025, Israel has carried out 44 attacks on Syrian territory, including 37 airstrikes and six ground attacks. These military actions have resulted in the destruction of approximately 50 sites, including weapons and ammunition depots, headquarters, command centers, and vehicles.
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