Syria and U.S. Envoy Blame Israel for Overnight Strike on Idlib Airbase

Syria's foreign ministry and U.S. envoy to Iraq and Syria Tom Barrack accused Israel of conducting overnight airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airfield in Idlib province, describing the operation as an unnecessary escalation that threatens regional stability. The Syrian statement called the strikes a violation of the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Barrack posted on X/Twitter that the United States is "deeply concerned" and that the attacks do not advance stability, noting that President Ahmed al-Shaara's government has repeatedly indicated a preference for de-escalation with Israel.

According to reports from Arab media, four aircraft targeted the runway of the base, which lies about 70 kilometres from the Turkish border. A Qatari Al Jazeera correspondent said the strikes hit the runway, but information on casualties or damage remains limited. Israeli officials declined to confirm involvement, and no official response from Syrian authorities was issued at the time.

The Abu al-Duhur airfield, which changed hands several times during the civil war, has been under the control of Syria's new government since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan previously described Israeli attacks on Syria as a major destabilising factor, a claim Israel's foreign minister rejected as hypocritical.

Both Damascus and Washington called for restraint and dialogue among regional actors to avoid further military incidents.