Syrian Air Base Hit as Israel-Turkey Tensions Grow

Abu ad-Duhur Airport in northwestern Syria was targeted by Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday. According to Syrian state media, the runway and storage facilities were damaged, but no casualties have been reported. Israel has not commented on the strikes.

Tom Barrack, the US president’s special envoy for Syria and Iraq, described the strikes as an “unnecessary escalation” that does not contribute to regional stability. According to him, the United States continues to view restraint and dialogue as a more constructive path.

The base, located approximately 70km from the Turkish border, has not been used as a military airfield since 2013. After the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024, the new Syrian army began using it as a training center.

The strikes come amid growing tensions between Israel and Turkey. Ankara accuses Israel of destabilizing Syria, while Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against taking steps to strengthen Syria’s military capabilities. Katz said in July: “We will not allow Erdogan to strengthen Syria against us.”

In early August, Syria conducted its first air force exercises since Assad’s fall. According to Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Israeli officials are closely monitoring Damascus’s efforts to rebuild its air force.

(Reuters, bak)