Turkey rejects Israeli claims following airstrike on Syrian airbase

Turkey rejected Israeli allegations that it posed a security threat by preparing to deploy troops to a Syrian military facility on Wednesday, following an Israeli airstrike on the Abu Duhur airbase in Idlib province.

Ankara slammed the claims as frivolous excuses designed to justify unlawful attacks against Syrian sovereignty.

Why did Turkey reject Israeli claims over the Syria airbase strike?

Turkey's Communications Directorate released an official statement via the Anadolu state news agency denying Israeli claims that a planned Turkish deployment at the Abu Duhur facility threatened Israeli national security. Ankara asserted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office used baseless accusations to legitimize airstrikes that violate international law and destabilize regional security.

The diplomatic confrontation followed eight Israeli airstrikes targeting the runway at the Abu Duhur military airfield in Idlib province, causing material damage to infrastructure without reported casualties. According to Middle East Eye, Netanyahu's office claimed Syria breached a security status quo by permitting Turkish military access near Aleppo, despite warnings from Israeli authorities.

The strikes occurred shortly after a Turkish military delegation visited the facility to inspect plans for rehabilitating the runways. Analysts view the strike as a direct attempt by Israel to prevent Ankara from establishing a strategic presence in northern Syria to support Damascus's transition.

How did the United States react to Israel's strike in Syria?

United States special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack confirmed that Israeli aircraft carried out the operation at the Abu Duhur airbase, characterizing the strikes as an unnecessary escalation that undermines regional stability. Washington has maintained active diplomatic support for Syria's new administration led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, an ally of Turkey following the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

American diplomats are working on establishing a deconfliction mechanism between Turkey, Israel, and Syria to prevent accidental military clashes. Meanwhile, Syrian foreign ministry representatives condemned the attack as an unjustified act of aggression and requested intervention from the United Nations Security Council.