U.S. envoy calls Israeli strike on Syrian airbase an unnecessary escalation

Israeli warplanes bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria on Monday night, striking runways about 45 miles from the Turkish border. The attack, initially unclaimed, was later acknowledged by Israel, which said it aimed to deter a planned Turkish deployment at the site.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack posted on X that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes constitute “an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.” He added that the United States seeks to lower tensions, increase dialogue and avoid surprise kinetic actions.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking through an interpreter, said the strike was a response to Turkey’s intention to establish a presence at the airport and that Israel had previously conveyed a warning. He later referred to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in harsh terms, prompting Erdogan’s office to dismiss the comment as a political maneuver.

According to Barrack, Israel had been in back-channel talks with Syria and the United States about Turkish activity near the airbase, but the bombing occurred without prior notice to Turkey. He emphasized that all parties share concerns about miscommunication and that a diplomatic solution is needed to prevent further incidents.

Barrack noted that while Israel has legitimate security concerns, especially regarding potential threats to its airspace, any actions should be coordinated through diplomatic channels rather than unilateral strikes. He expressed hope that the episode would be a temporary setback in broader efforts to maintain a sovereign, stable Syria and to manage the complex relationships among regional allies.