Israeli strikes on Hama and Homs this week come amid an escalation in tensions with Turkey, as both countries seek to gain political leverage from the turmoil in Syria.

The official SANA news agency reported that an Israeli airstrike hit near a scientific research building in Barzeh, a suburb of Damascus. The agency reported another Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Hama in western Syria.

According to the source, over ten Israeli attacks on Hama Airport destroyed its runways, control tower, weapons depots, and aircraft hangars. “Israel completely destroyed Hama Airbase to ensure it cannot be used again. This is a systematic effort to dismantle the military capabilities of Syria’s key airbases,” the source asserted.