Supporting Turkey? Israel Opens Second Front Against Syria with Airstrikes on Damascus

Amid ongoing hostilities between the Syrian Arab Army and a number of Al Qaeda linked jihadist militias in northwestern Syria, which from early February escalated to involve Turkish forces in a more active role on the side of the militants, Syria has suffered an attack on a second front as the Israeli Air Force carried out strikes on Damascus on February 6th. Israel has since early 2018 placed a greater emphasis on standoff missile attacks when striking its neighbour, with its aircraft rarely venturing deep into Syrian territory. Syrian media reported that the attacks were intercepted by the capital’s air defence network. With Syria facing the very real prospect of open clashes with the Turkish armed forces, which have used their own combat jets and artillery to carry out strikes on Syrian targets, the timing of the Israeli strike will further strain Syrian resources - with its territory coming under attack from two heavily armed Western allies. It remains uncertain whether Israel’s attack was carried out for this purpose, but considering the timing and Israel’s interest in seeing a Turkish victory in Syria’s northern regions it remains a considerable possibility. Turkey and Israel have maintained close military cooperation in the past, and the possibility of coordination against their common adversary remains significant. With northern Syria remaining the last major stronghold of islamist insurgents, moves by both parties to delay Damascus' victory and prolong the country's nine year war will further undermine post-war recovery and ultimately ensure that the Arab state remains in a disadvantageous position.