Israel’s intensified military operations in Syria are raising alarms across the Middle East, as Russian and UN officials issue fresh warnings and Turkey voices strong opposition. Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military assets in Syria, combined with an extensive construction project along the border in the occupied Golan Heights, are pushing regional tensions to new heights and prompting calls for restraint.
Russia’s special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentiev, has criticized Israel’s continued strikes in Syria, asserting that the air raids violate international law and Syrian sovereignty. Russia, which maintains a military presence in Syria and supports the Assad regime, warned Israel that these actions could have “serious consequences” if Russian forces are harmed in future attacks. Following a recent Israeli airstrike near Russia’s Hmeimim airbase, Putin conveyed that any harm to Russian troops would strain relations between Russia and Israel.
Meanwhile, Turkey has emerged as another vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Syria. Turkish President Erdogan condemned Israel’s recent military moves in Lebanon and Syria, describing Israel as a “direct threat to regional and global peace.” Speaking on the implications of Israeli expansion, Erdogan warned that any Israeli invasion of Damascus would effectively bring conflict to Turkey’s southern border. “If Israel occupies Damascus, it will have reached northern Syria,” Erdogan said. He also dismissed Israeli territorial ambitions, stating, “Netanyahu and his associates’ dreams will turn into nightmares. Palestine will be free, and Lebanon will remain free.”
Erdogan’s remarks reflect Turkey’s longstanding commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity, as Ankara continues to assert its influence over developments in the region. Turkey has carried out multiple incursions in northern Syria to create a “security belt” aimed at countering threats from PKK-aligned groups, but it opposes any permanent foreign occupation of Syrian land, especially by Israel. “We will continue working for peace in Syria,” Erdogan added. “Diplomacy can still prevent further escalation. Humanity must reject adding to this suffering.”
Turkey’s concerns also align with recent warnings from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the demilitarized zone along the Golan Heights. In a recent report, UNDOF documented significant Israeli construction activities that encroach into the demilitarized zone. Satellite images reviewed by the Associated Press show that Israel has constructed a new road, with fencing and trenches stretching over 7.5 kilometers along the Alpha Line, which separates the occupied Golan Heights from Syria. The UN described these activities as “serious violations” of the ceasefire, warning that the construction could spark further tensions in the region.
Erdogan’s comments underscore Turkey’s unease with any Israeli military expansion in Syria, a stance that echoes Moscow’s. Russia’s envoy, Lavrentiev, emphasized that any Israeli incursion into southern Syria would meet with “a negative reaction” from Moscow, which has stationed eight observation points along the Bravo Line. Lavrentiev also criticized the build-up of Israeli military equipment in Syria, asserting that it violates existing agreements and could destabilize the already fragile ceasefire.
These developments come amid reports of escalating Israeli military infrastructure in Lebanon, where the Israeli army has begun new road construction and buffer zones along its northern border. The Associated Press noted that similar efforts are underway along the Gaza border, where Israeli forces have demolished villages to reinforce border security.
The potential for conflict between Israel and neighboring states remains high, especially with Turkey, Russia, and the UN all calling for an end to what they see as unilateral and provocative Israeli actions. As Israel ramps up its operations in Syria and Lebanon, analysts warn of the far-reaching implications for a region already mired in conflict. Turkey, in particular, fears that Israeli expansion could embolden other actors to pursue similar ambitions, further destabilizing its border areas and undermining efforts for peace in Syria.
