Israel’s next escalation is likely in southern Syria

Israeli forces have been conducting raids in southern Syria, including a recent operation in the town of al-Rafid in Quneitra countryside on August 15. According to the Asia Times, such raids have become routine along the old disengagement line and no longer garner significant attention.

The Israeli military actions have also targeted airbases in northern Syria, including the Abu al-Duhur military airbase, which is about 70km from the Turkish border. The Jerusalem Post notes that Israel's security doctrine considers a threat based on its effect on freedom of aerial movement, which is why Israel has responded similarly to both Iranian and Turkish presence in Syria.

Following the airbase strikes, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a veiled threat against Turkey, stating that Israel would not allow any entity to threaten its security, as reported by Middle East Eye. Katz also suggested that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should focus on curbing his anti-Israel rhetoric rather than testing Israel's resolve to defend itself.

Brief written by urgent.news from Asia Times, Jerusalem Post, Middle East Eye — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.