US Criticises Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Airbase
The United States has taken the rare step of publicly condemning Israel following reports that Israeli aircraft struck the Abu Duhur airbase in Syria’s Idlib region, situated just 70 kilometres from Turkey’s border. Eight airstrikes allegedly damaged the runway and storage facilities, though no casualties were reported.
U.S. ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as the president’s special envoy for the Middle East, posted a statement on X in which he described the strikes as “an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability” and urged both sides to pursue diplomatic solutions.
Israel’s Prime Minister’s office said the strikes were a defensive measure, arguing that Syria had been on the verge of breaching a security status‑quo by allowing Turkish troops to station at the airbase. The statement also warned that the alleged move could destabilise the broader region.
Syria’s foreign ministry called the attacks “an unjustified act of aggression” that threatened to undermine security and stability. Meanwhile, Turkey rejected Israel’s claim that it posed a threat to its interests.
The Abu Duhur base had been out of service since 2013, when rebel forces seized it during the sweep that top‑pled the Assad regime. Israel has targeted Syrian positions in the country for years, with the latest series of strikes being the most extensive since March. The U.S. reiterated its willingness to host diplomatic talks to address the “kinetic frustrations” occurring in the area.
With the Syrian leader Ahmed al‑Sharaa showing a preference for de‑escalation and recent interactions with U.S. officials, the stage remains set for a potential shift in regional dynamics as the United States seeks to mediate the growing tensions surrounding Syria, Israel and Turkey.
