IDLIB, Syria, Middle East: Israel, Turkey, Syria tensions rose after Israel struck Abu al-Duhur Air Base, drawing condemnation from Ankara and criticism from Washington.
Syria’s government in Damascus denied plans for a permanent Turkish military base at the site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had warned Syria against allowing a Turkish presence at the airbase.
Türkiye rejected Israel’s allegations. The Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Israel of using them to justify strikes against Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Meanwhile, US Special Envoy Tom Barrack expressed concern over what he called an unnecessary escalation.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said Turkish military officers had visited the facility for training and wider defence cooperation. He said the largely empty base was not yet operational.
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The strike added to worsening friction between Israel and Türkiye, a North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) member.
President Donald Trump of the United States maintains ties with both President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Türkiye and Netanyahu. However, Washington has repeatedly urged restraint over Israeli operations in Syria.
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Barrack said the United States was working on a deconfliction mechanism involving Israel, Türkiye and Syria.
Al-Shaibani said Damascus remained open to security talks with Israel, but warned that further military operations could increase regional instability.
