Israel warns Turkey against 'dangerous adventures in Syria' after air base strike
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Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is 'dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria.' The comment followed Israeli airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur air base earlier this week. Turkey's Defense Ministry denied any military presence at the base and criticized the strikes as 'unacceptable' and 'reckless.'
Key Facts
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was 'dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria.'
- Israel carried out airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur air base earlier this week, claiming Turkish troops were about to deploy there.
- Turkey's Defense Ministry denied any military presence at the Abu al-Duhur air base and called the strikes 'unacceptable' and 'reckless.'
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel warned Syria not to allow a Turkish presence at the air base.
- Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said there was no intention to establish a Turkish base or permanent Turkish military presence at Abu al-Duhur.
The Abu al-Duhur Airstrike
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was 'dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria.' The comment followed Israeli airstrikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur air base earlier this week, which Israel said targeted a site where Turkish troops were about to deploy. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had warned Syria not to allow a Turkish presence at the air base. Netanyahu said of the warning: 'Our message was very clear. Don't. I guess they didn't quite understand the message.' Katz wrote on X that Israel will not allow any entity to threaten its security.
Turkey's Response
Turkey's Defense Ministry denied any military presence at the Abu al-Duhur air base and said the strikes were 'unacceptable' and 'reckless.' The ministry said Turkey would continue to support Syria's efforts to develop its own infrastructure and military capability. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said there was no intention to establish a Turkish base or permanent Turkish military presence at the site. Al-Shaibani said the largely empty base was not yet operational and was being restored for use by the Syrian Air Force. He acknowledged Turkish military officers had visited the site before the strike for training cooperation and expertise exchange.
Israel-Turkey Tensions
Israel's strikes in Syria this week come at a time of heightened tensions between Turkey and Israel. The two countries set up a line of communication last year to avoid incidents in Syria, where both militaries are active. Israel has repeatedly carried out airstrikes in Syria's southwest since former leader Bashar Assad was toppled in 2024, citing concerns over the new rulers' militant background. Turkey maintains a military presence in northern and eastern Syria and has become one of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa's main allies. Turkey and Israel are also at odds over the war in Gaza.
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Israel warns Turkey against 'dangerous adventures in Syria' after air base strike
