In brief
In a rare diplomatic rebuke, the United States condemned Israel’s recent airstrikes on the Abu Duhur military airbase in Syria, labeling the attack an unnecessary escalation that threatens regional stability. Eight airstrikes struck the runway and storage facility near the Turkish border, according to Syrian TV, though no casualties were reported. Israel cited fears of Turkish troop deployment to the base, while Syrian and Turkish officials denounced the strikes as aggression and emphasized the fragile security status quo. U.S. envoy Tom Barrack vowed to facilitate diplomatic talks between the involved parties, highlighting Syria’s new leadership’s preference for de‑escalation. This incident underscores the ongoing volatility in the Middle East and the delicate balance of diplomatic relations.
By Harry Sekulich • 9 hours ago
The United States issued a rare rebuke of Israel after reports emerged that it struck the Abu Duhur military airbase near the Turkish border. The U.S. described the attack as an “unnecessary escalation” that does not advance regional stability.
According to Syrian state television, eight airstrikes hit the base’s runway and storage facility on Tuesday; no injuries were reported. Israel said Syria was on the verge of breaching the status quo by allowing Turkish troops to deploy to the airbase.
Syria and Turkey denounced the strikes, describing them as an unjustified act of aggression that threatens regional security and stability. Turkey could not confirm troop movement but rejected Israel’s threat allegations.
U.S. ambassador in Turkey Thomas Barrack, also special envoy for Syria and Iraq, publicly criticized the attack on X. “We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al‑Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation…”, he wrote.
Israel’s prime minister’s office released a statement explaining the context and accused Syria of eroding the agreed security status quo. Meanwhile, the Syrian foreign ministry echoed the sentiment, calling the strikes a breach of sovereignty.
Abu Duhur has been out of service as a military airfield since 2013, seized by rebel forces during a sweep in December 2024. Syria’s new leadership under President Ahmed al‑Sharaa has been courting de‑escalation with Israel while rebuilding its military infrastructure.
The United States offers to host diplomatic talks to address the friction, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in mitigating kinetic frustrations in the region.
