Israel Strikes Northwest Syria Air Base Amid Tensions

Israel launched an airstrike on a Syrian air base in the northwest early Tuesday. The attack aimed to prevent Turkish troops from taking position at the base, according to Israeli statements. The base is located in the Idlib province.

Syria’s state television reported that eight strikes hit the Abu Duhur air base’s runway. While the attack damaged the facility, there were no casualties. Asaad al-Shibani, Syria’s Foreign Minister, condemned the strikes as aggression and a threat to stability.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office released a statement. It stated that Israel’s actions were in response to Syria’s plans to allow Turkish deployment, which Israel views as a security threat.

Turkey criticized Israel’s actions. The Turkish Foreign Ministry called for international condemnation and accountability, viewing the strikes as breaches of international law.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that foreign fighters had vacated the air base. Turkey has been rehabilitating the site, which was inactive for years due to conflict. The war in Syria has resulted in nearly 500,000 deaths.

Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, expressed concern about the escalation. He emphasized the United States’ preference for diplomacy and de-escalation in the region.

Other regional nations, including Qatar, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia, also condemned the strikes. Since the fall of Bashar Assad’s government in December 2024, tensions have risen between Israel and Turkey concerning Syria.

Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes in Syria post-Assad, focusing on military assets. The Israeli military has also occupied a U.N. buffer zone in southern Syria, maintaining a stance of suspicion towards Syria’s new government.

Despite ongoing U.S.-mediated talks, no security deal has been reached between Israel and Syria. The discussions have been in progress for over a year without success.