US ambassador to Turkey calls Israeli strikes on Syrian base unnecessary escalation
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said the Israeli airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase were an unnecessary escalation that does not promote regional stability.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized Israel on Tuesday for airstrikes that hit the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria's Idlib region, describing the attacks as an "unnecessary escalation" that does not advance regional stability. Syrian officials and state media reported that at least four strikes damaged the former Syrian air force facility, though no casualties were reported.
"We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability," Barrack posted on X.
Syria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the strikes an "unjustified act of aggression, a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty, and a dangerous escalation." Barrack added that the Syrian government has consistently favored de-escalation with Israel and urged all parties to prioritize dialogue over further military incidents.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that foreign fighters previously used the now-inactive base but were recently asked to leave, and that Turkey has been assisting in its rehabilitation. Israel has conducted numerous strikes on Syrian territory since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, targeting Syrian army assets in the Golan Heights and elsewhere.