The transfer of S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems to Syria may become part of the defense agreement being developed between Ankara and Damascus. This scenario is allowed by Turkish officials. In their opinion, this could satisfy the conditions of the United States, which, in an ultimatum, demanded that the NATO ally abandon Russian-made air defense systems. However, this would limit the capabilities of Israeli aviation in Syria.
The option of deploying the S-400 in Syria was reported by the English-language Daily Sabah newspaper, which is close to the Turkish government. According to her estimates, this may be a point of a joint defense agreement that has been developed by Ankara and the transitional government in Damascus in recent months. “The likelihood of this is increasing because Israel continues to attack Syrian territories,” the newspaper notes. According to the Daily Sabah, the deployment of the “four hundred” outside Turkey would help it maintain “stable relations with Russia during such a difficult period” and meet the demands of the administration of US President Donald Trump, which has been trying to negotiate with Ankara about the fate of Russian air defense systems for some time.
The acquisition of the S-400 provoked a series of American measures against Turkey in 2019-2020, introduced on the basis of the law on countering America’s Adversaries through Sanctions (CAATSA). In this wave, Ankara lost access to the fifth-generation F-35 multirole fighter program, which it needed to upgrade its fleet. And, as Jim Risch, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, made it clear yesterday, Turkey will not receive the planes until it fulfills all the conditions of the United States. “They (the fighters. – NG) will not budge until these S-400s are removed from Turkey,” the senator stressed, adding that he told President Recep Tayyip Erdogan this to his face.
The fact that the Russian “four hundred” are at the center of Turkish domestic discussions on Syria was confirmed by one of the sources of the Qatari portal Middle East Eye (MEE) in Ankara. According to him, the S-400 can be deployed to Syria temporarily – until Turkey equips one of the air bases transferred to it. The final decision on this issue has not yet been made, the MEE source added. He pointed out that Russia, as a supplier of equipment, has the last word. But Ankara will probably bet that Moscow will approve the transfer of the S-400 anyway, in order, for its part, not to disrupt the fragile atmosphere of trust with the head of the Syrian transitional period, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
According to MEE’s interlocutors, Turkey has already received the green light from the transitional administration in Damascus to take control of the Tiyas (T-4) base in the central province of Homs. According to sources, Turkish-made shock weapons and air defense systems will definitely appear at the facility. “The HISAR air defense system will be deployed on the territory of T4 in order to cover the base from the air,” the newspaper quotes one of its interlocutors. – After the system is installed, the base itself will be reconstructed and expanded with the necessary facilities. Ankara also plans to deploy reconnaissance and combat drones there, including those with improved strike capabilities.”
Ultimately, according to this information, a multi-level defense system will be formed around Tiyasa, which will include short-, medium- and long-range air defense systems. Turkish officials emphasize that such an air umbrella should, as planned, deter Israel from launching airstrikes on Syrian targets. Since the change of power in Damascus on December 8, 2024, the Jewish state has continued to enjoy operational freedom on the territory of its northern neighbor. Paramilitary groups loyal to the Syrian Transitional Government are already under attack by the Israelis.
The authorities of the Jewish state have sounded the alarm these days about Ankara’s interest in the transfer of air defense systems. “Any Turkish airbase in Syria can undermine Israel’s operational freedom,” a senior security source was quoted by the Jewish state media as saying. “This is a potential threat that we strongly oppose.” In recent months, Israeli aircraft have repeatedly attacked Tiyas, including in order to warn Damascus.
The security apparatus of the Jewish state is actively discussing the prospect that Israel and Turkey may at some stage enter into a direct conflict over Syria. The risks have increased significantly due to the fact that Erdogan is facing growing political instability following the March 19 detention of Turkish opposition leader Ekrem Imamoglu. Ankara is interested in shifting the attention of the domestic audience to external crises.
According to the North Press agency, which is close to the Syrian Kurdish administration, if Turkey really implements its plan for Tiyas, the airbase could become a hotbed of a new regional confrontation involving many players. Whether the Syrian airbase will turn into a trigger for the clash between Israel and Turkey, which has been so much talked about in recent months, may be decided in the coming weeks, according to North Press.
The Syrian transitional Administration will soon clarify the situation in its relations with the United States. According to the Israeli channel i24, during Trump’s upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, he may meet with al-Sharaa. An attempt to organize negotiations is being made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Israeli channel claims.
