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Monday, March 31, 2025
IDF strikes in Syria and Lebanon were a message to regional powers
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
The IAF airstrikes earlier this month on the T-4 airbase near Palmyra were designed to warn foreign powers against building up a military presence in Syrian air bases, The Times of Israel has learned.
Last week, a Turkish Defense Ministry source told Sky News Arabia that the country is looking into establishing a base in Syria to train the new Syrian army.
A senior IDF official told The War Zone last week that “any significant Turkish military presence, especially in strategic locations like Palmyra, could be perceived as a threat to Israeli security interests.”
In addition, the airstrikes Israel carried out in Beirut over the weekend were meant as a message to Lebanon’s government.
Israel wants the new government headed by Joseph Aoun to understand that it will be held responsible for rocket fire into Israel.
Two rockets were fired at northern Israel from Lebanon last Friday.
Israel also believes that Hezbollah recognizes that it cannot avoid pulling back fully north of the Litani River.
In the meantime, Israel remains in five points inside of Lebanon, and will stay there for the foreseeable future.
The Times of Israel Community.