Israel Strikes Syrian Airbase Near Aleppo, Raising Tensions With Turkey

Israel launched eight airstrikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase near Aleppo on Tuesday, prompting condemnation from Turkey and concern from the United States over escalating regional tensions.

Syrian state-run Ekhbariya television, citing a military source, reported that Israeli strikes targeted the airbase’s runway and storage facilities. Military and civilian sources said no casualties were reported. The attack appeared to be Israel’s first strike on Syrian government assets since March.

Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli airstrikes, saying they violated Syria’s territorial integrity and urging the international community to take stronger action against Israel’s military operations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said Syria was close to violating a security “status quo” by allowing Turkish forces to deploy at Abu al-Duhur. Israel said it had repeatedly warned Damascus that a Turkish military presence at the facility would threaten Israeli security. Turkey did not confirm whether its troops were stationed at the base.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack described the Israeli strikes as an “unnecessary escalation,” calling for restraint and diplomatic engagement.

Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani also urged Israel to halt its attacks, arguing that the strikes lacked security justification. He said Damascus would continue diplomatic efforts to pressure Israel to change its policy toward Syria.

Abu al-Duhur airbase, roughly 70 kilometers east of the Turkish border, has not operated as a dedicated military airfield since 2013. It changed hands several times during Syria’s prolonged civil war.

Israel has repeatedly targeted Syrian military sites since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in 2024. Israel remains wary of President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s new government because of its leaders’ former Islamist militant affiliations, despite Damascus seeking closer ties with Western countries.

The latest Israeli strikes come amid growing Israel-Turkey tensions over Syria. Ankara has emerged as a major supporter of Sharaa’s government, providing military training, diplomatic backing and assistance in rebuilding Syrian institutions.

Turkey and Israel established a communication mechanism last year to prevent military incidents in Syria, where forces linked to both countries remain active.