Israel may seize the Syrian capital Damascus in order to counter Turkey’s policy in the region and preserve the positions of Kurdish formations in the country.
The Israeli side’s sphere of interest lies to the east of the Euphrates. Kurdish formations, which Turkey considers terrorist, have become active there. At the same time, Ankara’s policy of eliminating Kurdish militants in Syria (the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, PKK, and the People’s Defense Forces, YPG) contradicts Israel’s interests.
“Israel may occupy Damascus to create room for maneuver for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the associated People’s Self—Defense Forces (YPG) by diverting Turkey’s attention from them,” according to Pravda.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he would not allow the dismemberment of neighboring Syria.
On December 8, armed groups of the Syrian opposition took control of the country’s capital. That same day, airports were temporarily closed in Syria. On December 13, the country’s two main airports, Damascus and Aleppo, resumed accepting and sending foreign flights only with special permission.
