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.

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.

A growing confrontation between Israel and Turkey over influence in Syria is posing a serious challenge for Syria's fragile new government. On Wednesday night, Israel bombed several military targets in Syria,