Israeli strikes on Abu al-Duhur air base in northwest Syria appear to mark an escalation of tension with Turkey, as Washington scrambled to prevent a full-blown clash between two of its most important regional partners.
Israel linked the strikes to an alleged Turkish effort to establish a military presence at the site. Syrian state media said no one was injured in the bombing.
But Tom Barrack, the special presidential envoy for Syria, expressed grave concern over the strikes, calling them in an interview with Reuters an “unnecessary escalation” that could weaken regional stability.
U.S.-mediated talks between Israel and Syria aimed at reaching a security agreement have been ongoing for more than a year but have so far failed to produce a deal.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Syria had been on the verge of violating an agreement with Israel by allowing Turkish forces to deploy at an air base near Aleppo.
The strikes reportedly followed a visit by a Turkish military delegation to the site to discuss its rehabilitation.
Barrack, who is also the U.S. ambassador to Turkey, told Reuters that Ankara had not been notified in advance of the strikes. He said that “calm heads” had prevented a broader escalation.
Details of the Strikes
The base is about 70 kilometers, or 43 miles, from the Turkish border and has been out of service as a military airfield since 2013. Syrian state media, citing a military source, reported that eight strikes targeted the air base’s runway and storage facilities.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani condemned the strikes and urged Israel to reconsider its approach toward Syria.
Speaking at a news conference with Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Shibani said there was no security justification for the attacks. He reaffirmed Damascus’s commitment to diplomacy as a way of improving relations with Israel.
Israeli Concerns over Rebuilding Syria’s Military Capabilities
Israel has grown increasingly concerned about Syria’s efforts to rebuild its military, particularly its air force, fearing that the country could present another threat along its border.
In early August, Syria conducted air exercises using MiG-21 aircraft. Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (Kan) has reported that Damascus was accelerating efforts to rebuild its air force, including by recruiting and training pilots.
Firas Radwan Oglu, a Turkish writer and journalist close to the ruling Justice and Development Party, said the strikes carried a direct message to both Syria and Turkey. He said Ankara was not seeking a conflict with Israel and that the strikes could prompt the United States to pressure Israel to limit its activity in Syria.
James Jeffrey, a former U.S. diplomat and distinguished fellow at the Washington Institute, said that Barrack’s criticism of the strikes reflected American concern about another potential conflict in the region.
“Tension between two powerful American partners both of whom have an interest in containing Iran is very troubling,” Jeffrey told MBN.
The United States “will not want to get between the two partners and will urge restraint on both,” he said. “Best would be Turkey avoids very open military steps while Israel ceases Syria attacks.”
Did Israel Notify Washington in Advance?
Earlier, Fox News quoted an Israeli official as saying that Israel had provided the United States in advance with “highly sensitive intelligence” related to the strike. The official did not specify the nature of the information or the target of the strikes. MBN reached out to the White House, the State Department and the Pentagon for comment but did not receive a response.
Israel had previously informed the United States of its concerns over Damascus’s accelerating efforts to rebuild its air force, according to Kan.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the attacks “violate Syria’s unity and sovereignty” and called on the international community to take a firmer position toward Israel. Turkey has accused Israel of seeking to destabilize Syria and undermine its new administration.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has issued direct warnings to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying Israel would not allow any steps that could strengthen Syria’s military capabilities in a way that could pose a threat to Israel.
Adapted and translated from the original Arabic.
