Turkey has begun efforts to take control of Syria’s Tiyas air base, also known as T4, and is preparing to deploy air defence systems there, sources familiar with the matter told Middle East Eye.
Construction plans for the site are also reportedly under way.
Ankara and Damascus have been negotiating a defence pact since December, following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
The agreement would see Turkey provide air cover and military protection for Syria’s new government, which currently lacks a functioning military.
Although Turkish officials had previously downplayed the possibility of a military presence in Syria, describing such plans as premature, negotiations have quietly continued.
While Israel views a Turkish military presence in Syria as a potential threat, Ankara aims to stabilise the country by leveraging its military capabilities and filling the power vacuum left by the withdrawal of Russia and Iran.
Turkey also intends to intensify its fight against the Islamic State (IS) group, a key condition for the United States to consider withdrawing from the region.
A source familiar with the matter told MEE that Turkey has begun moving to take control of the T4 air base, located near Palmyra in central Syria.
Ankara eventually aims to establish a layered air defence system in and around the base, which would have short-, medium- and long-range air defence capabilities against a variety of threats, from jets to drones to missiles.
A second source noted that the presence of Turkish air defence systems and drones would likely deter Israel from launching air strikes in the area.
The Turkish defence ministry declined to comment.
Source: Middle East Eye
