Israel conducted airstrikes targeting an airbase in Syria on Tuesday, an action that Syrian state media reported as the first strike on government assets since March. The United States expressed concern, with a special envoy describing the strikes as an "unnecessary escalation."
Syrian state-run Ekhbariya, citing a military source, stated that eight Israeli airstrikes hit the runway and storage facilities at Abu al-Duhur base. A separate military source and a local resident reported no casualties. The Israeli military and the Syrian Ministry of Defence have declined to comment.
Ambassador Tom Barrack, the U.S. special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq, conveyed his concerns on X, stating, "We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability." He added, "The United States continues to believe that restraint and engagement offer the more constructive course. We encourage all parties to prioritize logical discourse over further military incidents."
The Abu al-Duhur base, located approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish border, has not been operational as a dedicated military airfield since 2013 and has changed hands multiple times during Syria's civil war. Israel has frequently targeted Syrian military installations, citing concerns over Iranian influence and the perceived threat from Syrian government forces.
The strikes occur amid heightened security tensions between Israel and Turkey, with Ankara accusing Israel of attempting to destabilize Syria and undermine its current administration. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had previously stated that Israel's repeated attacks threatened Syria's security and called for international pressure on Israel to respect Syria's territorial integrity. Omer Celik, spokesperson for Turkey's ruling AK Party, commented on X that the strikes "showed once again that Israeli policies are the greatest enemy of peace and tranquility for the peoples of the region" and urged a unified international reaction.
Reports suggest that Syria has been accelerating efforts to rebuild its air force, including pilot recruitment and training, with a recent exercise involving fighter aircraft. Israel has reportedly shared its concerns regarding these developments with the United States. A communication line was established between Turkey and Israel last year to prevent incidents in Syria, where both countries maintain military presences.
