Israeli air strikes target the Abu al-Duhur military air base in Syria’s Idlib province, with the United States pushing back against the attack. US special envoy for Syria and ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack says he is “deeply concerned,” describing the strikes as an “unnecessary escalation” that does not advance regional stability. Barrack’s comments follow a meeting in Istanbul with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani.
Syria’s government condemns the strikes, saying they violate sovereignty and territorial integrity and that multiple strikes hit the runway area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights adds that the attack follows a Turkish military delegation visit connected to efforts to reactivate the airfield. Both outlets note that Israel has not formally acknowledged responsibility, but Barrack attributes the attack to Israel.
Different outlets include additional context and claims about motivations. One report cites an unnamed Israeli official saying “highly sensitive intelligence” was shared with the US in advance, while another emphasizes that Barrack argues the Syrian authorities had not maintained proxy forces and did not adopt a “predatory posture,” also saying Syria expelled Iran-linked forces. The reports broadly agree on the location and the US condemnation, but they diverge on the reasoning behind Israel’s targeting and what actors were operating in the area.
