The Jerusalem Post: Türkiye seeking to deploy radar systems inside Syria

Türkiye has been attempting to deploy radar systems on Syrian territory in recent weeks, according to two Western intelligence sources cited by The Jerusalem Post, amid growing tensions between Ankara and Israel.

The move could significantly limit Israel’s freedom of action in Syrian airspace, the sources said, as the radar systems would be capable of detecting Israeli military aircraft operating over the country.

Israeli officials are also concerned that such a deployment would complicate strikes on targets in Iran, as Israeli aircraft are reported to regularly transit Syrian airspace en route to operations further east.

One Western source told the newspaper that the radar systems are expected to be formally transferred to the Syrian military as part of efforts to strengthen the forces of Syria’s president, Ahmed al-Sharaa. However, Turkish personnel would reportedly remain responsible for operating the systems, effectively granting Ankara access to the intelligence they collect.

Israel has previously carried out airstrikes on Syrian military installations, including air force bases such as T-4, following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government last year. Israeli officials said the strikes were intended to prevent Türkiye from establishing permanent military bases or deploying drones inside Syria.

At the time, an Israeli security official warned that the establishment of a Turkish air base in Syria would pose a “potential threat” by undermining Israel’s operational freedom in the region.

“This is something we oppose,” the official said. “We struck the bases to send a clear message that we will not allow any restriction on our aerial freedom of action.”

Concerns in Israel have intensified following recent high-level talks in Damascus between Syrian leaders and senior Turkish officials, including Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Defence Minister Yaşar Güler and intelligence chief İbrahim Kalın.

Israeli defence officials are said to be closely monitoring the deepening ties between Ankara and Damascus, assessing how the evolving relationship could affect Israel’s military operations.

Analysts say the deployment of radar systems could strengthen Syria’s air defence capabilities and improve its ability to track Israeli aircraft. According to foreign reports, the Israeli Air Force frequently uses Syrian airspace when conducting operations in Iraq and Iran.

By Aghakazim Guliyev