The Turkish Ministry of Defense has denied reports that it is building new military bases in Syria and that Turkish F-16s recently intercepted Israeli fighter jets over Damascus, TRT World, the international edition of the Turkish state broadcaster, reported on Thursday.
The denial follows reports in the Israeli media that Turkey is planning to establish three military bases in Syria.
In a statement Turkish defense officials dismissed the claims as misinformation and urged caution regarding news from a region that seeks to “manipulate perceptions,” according to TRT World.
Turkey already controls swaths of land in northern Syria, with the help of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army.
According to TRT World the Turkish government has denied the reports of a new military presence, stressing that it continues to support Syria’s defense and security without establishing new bases.
The ministry also denied reports circulating on social media that Turkish F-16s were dispatched to intercept Israeli fighter jets over Damascus.
⚠️ 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 ⚠️
🇹🇷🇮🇱 | Turkish F-16s Intercepts Israeli Jets Over Damascus…
Reports confirm 13 Turkish F-16s intercepted Israeli jets near Damascus last night, Turkey is now fast-tracking a base in Syria.
IF THIS IS TRUE, then Iran needs to thank Turkiye… pic.twitter.com/LxLkFnMkiX
— Iran Spectator (@IranSpec) March 3, 2025
Israel has intensified its air campaign in Syria following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
On Monday Israeli forces struck a military site in Qardaha, Latakia province, targeting weapons stored by the previous Syrian government. Additionally, explosions near Syria’s Tartus port were reported the same day, with unidentified aircraft, suspected to be Israeli, flying over the coastal city.
Israel says this is part of its ongoing efforts to prevent the transfer of advanced weaponry to hostile groups and to secure its northern border amid Syria’s political instability.
The new Syrian administration has condemned these strikes, accusing Israel of violating its sovereignty during a vulnerable transitional period.
Israeli media have reported that Israel is lobbying the United States to block Turkey’s military expansion in Syria.
Reuters previously reported that Israel is pushing Washington to allow Russia to maintain its military presence in Syria as a counterweight to Turkey’s growing influence in the country following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly sent a senior military official to Moscow for talks on countering Turkey’s influence in Syria, Israeli media reported earlier this week. Citing anonymous sources, the Israeli media claimed that Turkey is working to deepen its military cooperation with the new Syrian government, including training forces and securing airspace.