Israel carried out airstrikes on a Syrian airbase on Tuesday, Syrian state media reported, in what appeared to be its first attack on Syrian government facilities since March and an escalation that drew criticism from Turkey and a senior U.S. envoy.
Syria’s state run Ekhbariya, citing a military source, said Israeli forces conducted eight strikes on the runway and storage facilities at Abu al-Duhur airbase. A Syrian military source and a nearby resident said there were no casualties.
The Israeli military declined to comment, while Syria’s Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
U.S. special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack expressed concern over the strikes, describing them as an “unnecessary escalation” that would not contribute to regional stability.
He urged all parties to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic engagement rather than further military action.
Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani also condemned the strikes and called on Israel to halt its attacks. He said Damascus would continue pursuing diplomatic efforts to persuade Israel to change its approach toward Syria.
Abu al-Duhur, located about 70 km from the Turkish border, has not operated as a dedicated military airfield since 2013 and changed hands several times during Syria’s civil war. Israel has repeatedly targeted Syrian military sites since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
Israel has expressed deep distrust of Syria’s new leadership because of its Islamist militant background and has warned that it will not tolerate what it considers a hostile Islamist presence near its borders.
Following Assad’s removal, Israel seized territory in southwestern Syria and destroyed large quantities of Syrian military equipment. It has also carried out strikes while citing the protection of Syria’s Druze minority and previously targeted Syrian sites to curb Iranian influence.
Tensions With Turkey Rise
The latest strikes come amid growing tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria. Ankara has accused Israel of seeking to destabilise Syria and undermine President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the attacks, saying they violated Syria’s territorial unity and sovereignty and calling on the international community to take stronger action against Israel.
Turkey has emerged as a major ally of Sharaa’s administration, helping train Syria’s armed forces and supporting the rebuilding of state institutions and infrastructure.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Israel would oppose moves that strengthen Syria’s military capabilities in ways that could threaten Israeli security.
The two countries established a military communication channel last year to prevent clashes between their forces operating in Syria.
Meanwhile, concerns have grown over Syria’s efforts to rebuild its air force. Syrian forces conducted air exercises in northern Syria earlier this month using Russian-made MiG-21 fighter jets, marking the first such exercises since Assad’s removal.
Israeli security officials have also reportedly detected efforts by Syria to recruit pilots, resume flight training and rebuild its military aviation capabilities.
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