Israel lobbies U.S. to preserve Russian bases in Syria, sees Turkey as major threat – Reuters

Israel is urging Washington to maintain Russia’s military footprint in Syria as a buffer against Turkish influence, according to diplomats and sources cited by Reuters.

Russian guards stand at the main gate of the Russian military base at the Hmeimim Airport near the city of Latakia, western Syria, 02 January 2025, after opposition forces took control of Damascus. In 2015, Russia converted an existing civilian airport close to the port city of Latakia, Syria, to construct the Hmeimim airbase, which has been Russia

EPA/BILAL AL HAMMOUD

The move underscores Israel’s desire to keep Syria “weak and decentralized,” say four sources familiar with Israel’s lobbying efforts.

Israeli officials have told the United States that Syria’s new Islamist leadership—backed by Ankara—poses a threat near Israel’s borders, the sources added.

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have further escalated since the war in Gaza began, prompting concerns in Tel Aviv that Turkey could protect an Islamist government in Damascus, potentially offering safe haven to Hamas and other militant groups.

Countering Ankara

According to Reuters, Israel wants Washington to let Moscow retain its naval base in Tartus and air base in Latakia. Some U.S. officials were “surprised” by Israel’s stance that a NATO member like Turkey was less reliable for Israel’s security. “Israel’s big fear is that Turkey comes in and protects this new Islamist order,” Reuters quoted Aron Lund of think-tank Century International as saying.

At the same time, Israeli authorities have demanded demilitarization in southern Syria to block the Islamist faction Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which succeeded in ousting President Bashar al-Assad but is seen in Tel Aviv as a looming threat. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would not tolerate HTS or any forces allied with Syria’s new rulers.

Low priority for the U.S.

Sources told Reuters that the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump, which has been “wildly pro-Israeli,” is more likely to tolerate Russia’s presence. “Syria is barely on Trump’s radar,” said Lund. Previous U.S. officials under former President Joe Biden had considered lifting sanctions if Russia closed its bases, but negotiations ended before Trump’s return to office on January 20.

Turkey, however, has insisted its only aim is a stable Syria that does not threaten its neighbors. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Israel of “expansionism” and urged Islamic countries to form an alliance against it, fueling further Israeli misgivings. Meanwhile, Syria’s new Islamist-led government seeks international recognition and an end to Western sanctions, claiming it wants no conflict with Israel—an assurance Tel Aviv publicly doubts.

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Source: Reuters, RMF24