Israeli warplanes launched eight airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria's Idlib province early Tuesday, Syrian state media reported, in attacks that have been widely condemned by Damascus and Washington. The strikes targeted the runway and storage facilities at the base, located approximately 70 kilometers (43.5 miles) from the Turkish border.

Syrian state broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya, citing a military source, said that "Israeli occupation aircraft early this morning targeted the runway" of the base "with eight strikes," damaging infrastructure but causing no casualties. The facility has been out of service as a dedicated military base for over a decade. The Reuters news agency, citing an unnamed military source, reported that the base has been used as a training center for Syria's new army since Assad's ouster in December 2024.

Israel has not officially commented on the attacks. They come on the heels of a Turkish military delegation's visit to the airfield, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor. The visit was reportedly part of efforts to reactivate the base.

Tom Barrack, US ambassador to Turkey and special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq, condemned the strikes in a post 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 defended Syria's interim administration of Ahmed al-Sharaa, noting that it "repeatedly indicated a preference for de-escalation with Israel," and urged all parties to "prioritize logical discourse over further military incidents."

Syria's Foreign Ministry also condemned the strikes, calling them "an unjustified act of aggression" and urging the international community and the UN Security Council to "take a firm position against Israel's repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty." The ministry added that the "continuation of these Israeli attacks" since December 2024 comes while Syria "has exercised restraint and worked to consolidate stability and avoid escalation."

Since Assad's ouster, Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on Syria, sending troops to a UN-patrolled buffer zone that had separated Israeli and Syrian forces in Syria's Israeli-occupied Golan since 1974. Israeli forces have also conducted regular incursions deeper into Syrian territory. Israeli officials have declared their intention to maintain forces in a self-declared "security zone" in southern Syria.

Turkey has accused Israel of trying to destabilize Syria and its new administration, which Ankara has been helping by training its army and assisting with building state institutions and infrastructure. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has directly warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stressing that Israel would no longer allow steps that strengthen Syria's military capabilities in ways that could threaten Israel.

Source: www.dw.com