ISRAELI warplanes struck targets in central Syria today, fuelling further instability in the region with tensions still running high between Turkey and Russia.

Missiles were fired at alleged Syrian military bases in the central province of Homs, while the southern region of Quneitra, close to the occupied Golan Heights, was also hit, state media reported.

There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage and Israel did not comment on its military operations, which is standard procedure for Tel Aviv.

While it does not generally comment on specific attacks, Israel has admitted to carrying out hundreds of air strikes in Syria against Iranian targets over the last several years.

Tensions have also escalated in Idlib province after scores of Turkish soldiers were killed in an air strike last week as they protected jihadist forces from Syrian and Russian advances.

Syrian military officials said they had shot down a Turkish drone today as the Foreign Office warned of the “illegitimate infiltrations” of US officials into the province.

A source said it was evidence that the US administration “considers itself above international law and UN charters emphasising the respect of states’ sovereignty and non-interference in their affairs.”

No details were given about the US presence.

But the Syrian government said the Trump administration was colluding with Turkey to cover the crimes of jihadist groups, preventing their “complete elimination after the victories achieved by the Syrian Arab Army.”

It condemned the “thievery and banditry” of the US, accusing it of offering material support to terrorist groups “including transporting them into Syria.”

Moscow mobilised warships with weapons and supplies for the Syrian government on Wednesday as their joint military operations seek to regain control of the country from the last remaining pockets of jihadist resistance.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan today in a last-ditch bid to secure another ceasefire in Idlib.