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.

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 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.