Israel and Turkey exchanged warnings Thursday following Israeli airstrikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase, with Jerusalem saying it acted to prevent a Turkish military deployment and Ankara rejecting that explanation as tensions rise over influence in post-Assad Syria.
Eight Israeli strikes hit the base in Idlib province early Tuesday, damaging its runway without causing casualties, according to Syrian authorities. Satellite images also showed craters on the runway. Syrian officials said a Turkish delegation had inspected rehabilitation work at the facility hours before the attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Syria was “on the verge of breaching” an agreed “status quo in security matters” by preparing to station Turkish forces at the base. Israel views the possible establishment of Turkish military infrastructure in Syria as a security threat.
Turkey called Israel’s account “untenable” and said no Turkish troops had been stationed at Abu al-Duhur. Ankara said its military cooperation with Damascus was limited to training, technical assistance and exchanges of expertise. Turkish officials accused Netanyahu’s government of using the claim to justify unlawful military action and destabilize Syria.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Damascus had informed Israel that no Turkish deployment was planned. He condemned the attack as “an unjustified provocation, a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, and a direct threat to regional and global stability.”
US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack called the bombing an “unnecessary escalation.” Washington is working to strengthen a communications mechanism among Israel, Turkey and Syria to prevent misunderstandings from triggering a direct confrontation.
Turkey became a major supporter of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government after forces led by al-Sharaa removed Bashar Assad in December 2024. Ankara and Damascus signed a military cooperation agreement in 2025, while Israel expanded operations inside Syria, destroying former regime military assets and occupying additional territory near the Golan Heights.
Israel and Syria have since held US-mediated security talks, but they have not reached a formal agreement governing Israeli operations or foreign military deployments.
