Syria Denies Turkish Military Presence After Israeli Airbase Strike
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani stated Wednesday that Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria were unjustified, claiming the site was undergoing rehabilitation rather than hosting a Turkish military buildup. The strikes, which occurred early Tuesday, have drawn international scrutiny and a rare rebuke from the United States.
The Diplomatic Fallout of the Abu al-Duhur Strike
The Israeli military launched at least eight strikes against the Abu al-Duhur airbase on Tuesday, targeting runways and hangars located approximately 45 miles from the Turkish border. While Israel has not provided a formal operational comment, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on X that the strike was a warning against a Turkish military presence. “Our message was very clear: Don’t. I guess they didn’t quite understand the message,” Netanyahu said.
Syria maintains that the activity at the base was limited to infrastructure repair. “There was no Turkish military build-up at the base in any sense that would justify such an interpretation,” Al-Shaibani wrote in response to inquiries. He acknowledged that Turkish officers had visited the site, but described the interaction as part of “ongoing military cooperation in the areas of training and the exchange of expertise,” similar to cooperation Syria holds with Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Russia.
The incident has placed the Trump administration in a difficult position as it attempts to mediate between regional partners. Tom Barrack, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria and Iraq, publicly criticized the action. “We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability,” Barrack posted on X.
Regional Instability and Infrastructure Risks
The Abu al-Duhur facility has been a focal point of regional reconstruction efforts since the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government in late 2024. The base had been out of service as a dedicated military airfield since 2013 before being seized by rebel forces in December 2024. Recent efforts to restore the airfield are part of a broader push by the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa to re-establish sovereign military and civilian infrastructure.
Negotiation Stalemates and Future Security
Al-Shaibani indicated that the Syrian government had been in contact with both the Trump administration and Israeli counterparts in the days preceding the strike to clarify the nature of the construction. He asserted that Syria remains open to de-escalation but argued that security cannot be a one-sided expectation. According to the Foreign Minister, a year of U.S.-mediated negotiations had previously produced a security agreement on paper, which Israel ultimately declined to implement.
As the regional situation remains fluid, the risk to supply chains and personnel in northern Syria persists.
The Path Toward De-escalation
The Syrian government continues to press for a formal, balanced security framework. Al-Shaibani emphasized that continued military operations by Israel serve to undermine the stability of the entire region. “Israel must also reassess its policy towards Syria and recognise that continued military operations and attacks will not deliver long-term security, but will instead increase instability,” he stated.
President Trump, when asked about the strike in a phone call on Wednesday, declined to offer specific criticism, stating, “I can’t talk about it.” This silence underscores the delicate balance the U.S. maintains between its regional allies. Whether the current diplomatic channels can contain the repercussions of the Abu al-Duhur strike remains to be seen, as the government in Damascus continues to seek international support to prevent further aggression.
For now, the runways at Abu al-Duhur remain damaged, serving as a physical reminder of the fragile status quo.