Israel strikes Abu Duhur air base in northwest Syria to block Turkish troop deployment
Israel bombed the Abu Duhur airfield in Idlib province, saying the attack was intended to stop Turkish forces from being stationed there. The strike caused runway damage but no casualties and drew condemnation from Syria, Turkey and several regional states.
Israel carried out an airstrike on the Abu Duhur air base in Idlib province early Tuesday, targeting the runway and damaging the facility without causing reported casualties, state television said. Israeli officials said the operation was aimed at preventing Turkish troops from being deployed to the base, which they view as a security threat.
Syria’s foreign minister Asaad al-Shibani condemned the attack, describing it as "Israeli aggression" and a violation of Syrian sovereignty that threatens regional stability.
"Israel repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would pose a threat to Israel's security. Syria chose to ignore these warnings," the Israeli prime minister's office said.
Turkey’s foreign ministry also denounced the strike and urged the international community to hold Israel accountable for actions it said breach international law.
U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack posted on social media that Washington is "deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes" constitute an "unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability." He added that the United States continues to host diplomatic talks aimed at a security agreement between Israel and Syria.
Regional actors including Qatar, Egypt and Saudi Arabia issued statements condemning the strike. The incident follows a series of Israeli attacks on Syrian targets since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024, as Israel seeks to limit the influence of Turkish-backed forces in the country.