Israel conducted eight airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria, targeting Damascus's preparations to allow Turkish forces onto the base. The strikes aimed to prevent Turkish military expansion deeper into northwestern Syria, which Israel views as a threat to its borders.
The airstrikes highlight escalating tensions between Israel and Turkey over influence in Syria, with potential for direct military confrontation and broader regional instability. Israel's actions underscore its determination to counter perceived threats to its security from Turkish military expansion in its northern vicinity.
Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria on Tuesday, conducting eight strikes to prevent Damascus from allowing Turkish troops onto the facility. Israel determined that Syria was preparing to host Turkish forces despite repeated warnings, viewing this as a violation of the security status quo. The attack occurred without prior notification to Turkey, whose military detected Israeli aircraft near its border, creating a risk of direct confrontation. Israel claims the move by Damascus would have brought Turkish forces deeper into northwestern Syria, closer to Israel's borders, and that Syria would benefit from Turkish military training and agreements which Israel considers a threat. The airbase, located about 70 km from the Turkish border, had been out of service for over a decade and was undergoing refurbishment with Turkish support. Israel seeks to maintain a veto over Turkish military deployments within Syria.