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Israel strikes Syrian airbase as fight over Turkish deployment intensifies
The attack hit Abu al-Duhur, about 70 km from the Turkish border, after Israel said Damascus was preparing to let Turkish troops take over the facility.
Israel bombed the Syrian airbase at Abu al-Duhur in an effort to prevent Turkish forces from establishing a permanent military position in northwestern Syria, according to OilPrice. The outlet said eight strikes hit the site after Israel concluded that Damascus was moving to allow Turkish troops onto the base despite repeated Israeli warnings.
Turkey was not notified before the attack, OilPrice reported, and its military saw Israeli aircraft flying north toward the Turkish border without knowing their target. Washington, the outlet added, viewed the situation as a real risk that Turkish fighters could be scrambled, raising the possibility of a direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey.
The dispute centers on how much of Syria Turkey can turn into an enduring military foothold, OilPrice said. The outlet also noted that Ankara is already training the Syrian army and helping rebuild bases and other military infrastructure under arrangements with the government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa.
OilPrice said Abu al-Duhur had been out of service as a dedicated military airfield for more than a decade and was being refurbished with Turkish support. It added that Israel argues the steps to permit Turkish access violate the Syria security status quo Israel says it has with Damascus.