“This underscores the need for a deconfliction mechanism involving Israel, Syria and Türkiye. That is something we are actively working on to establish in order to prevent future miscommunication. The priority now is to lower tensions and allow space for a more measured approach,” said Barrack, who also serves as the U.S. ambassador to Turkey. Earlier, he criticized Israel, writing that he was “deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation.”
Al-Sharaa, Netanyahu and Erdogan
(Photo: MEHMET ALI OZCAN/Anadolu via AFP, shutterstock, רפי קוץ, אלכס קולומויסקי, קובי קואנקס, REUTERS/Khalil Ashawi, AP Photo/Leo Correa, SAUL LOEB/AFP, Evelyn Hockstein/POOL/AFP, Andrew Harnik/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP, JOE RAEDLE/GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP, REUTERS, SATELLITE IMAGE ©2025 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES/AFP)
Shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement in which it effectively confirmed the attack: “Israel and Syria agreed on a status quo in security matters, which Syria almost violated by allowing Turkish soldiers to deploy at the air force base near Aleppo. Israel has repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would pose a threat to Israel’s security – and Syria has chosen to ignore the warnings. Israel will not tolerate threats to its security, and will welcome a return to the status quo.”
Overnight, the Abu al-Duhur military airport in the eastern countryside of Idlib, Syria, was attacked. According to the Sabereen news agency, runways and storage facilities were targeted by four aircraft, and Syria has blamed Israel for the strikes. According to a Syrian military source and a resident living nearby who spoke to Reuters, there were no casualties in the attack. Sources told Qatar-based Al-Araby Al-Jadeed: “The Israeli airstrikes on the airport came after a Turkish military delegation visited to oversee the rehabilitation of its runway.”
Abu al-Duhur airport is located about 17 miles east of Saraqib, near the village of Abu al-Duhur. It occupies a strategic location between the provinces of Idlib, Hama and Aleppo and is close to the Syrian Desert. It is also considered one of the prominent military bases in northern Syria and was previously under the control of the former regime. Estimates of its size vary. Some sources say it covers about 16 square kilometers, while others estimate its area at about 23 square kilometers. It includes several runways.
Thomas Barrack
(Photo: REUTERS/Emilie Madi)
The strike attributed to Israel may have come against the backdrop of Israeli concerns that its control of the airspace in the area could be compromised after the targeted base underwent significant rehabilitation with Turkish assistance. Israel was deeply concerned about what was being done at the base and its potential consequences. Israel does not want to enter a confrontation, either with the Turks or the Syrians, but it can be assumed that Israel cannot afford to see its air superiority compromised, particularly amid tensions with Iran.
According to Fox News, Israel provided the Americans with intelligence on Syrian efforts to rehabilitate the base. The concern is not only about restoring the runways, but also about the possible deployment of air defense systems that could threaten Israel’s control of the airspace, as well as advanced drones.
Documentation of a strike in Syria
A Turkish delegation visited the base only recently. Israel has previously conveyed messages to Turkey that it would not accept the rebuilding of the Syrian military or any threat to its air superiority.
First published: 23:26, 08.18.26