Israel defended the moves as necessary security measures, but Syria accused it of trying to destabilize the country.

Israel targets Syrian airbases to warn Turkey against interference, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan faces protests at home and ramps up efforts to expand influence in Syria and region as a whole.

Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, declaring the attacks a warning to the new Islamist rulers in Damascus as it accused their ally Turkey on Thursday of trying to turn the country into a Turkish protectorate.