Israeli airstrikes hit three Syrian airbases that Turkey had been assessing for a planned joint defense pact, deepening tensions between the two countries. Turkey had been evaluating the state of the runways and infrastructure at the airbases in preparation for a deeper military presence in Syria. The strikes by Israel came despite Ankara's efforts to reassure the US that their presence in Syria was not intended to threaten Israel. Turkey is positioning itself to play a major role in the remade Syria, including with the possibility of new Turkish bases and use of Syria's airspace.