Israel Strikes Abu al-Duhur Airbase to Block Turkish Deployment in Syria
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Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria with eight strikes on Tuesday to prevent Turkish forces from deploying there. Turkey was not notified before the attack, and Washington assessed a real risk of direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey. The strikes came as Ankara expands military cooperation with Syria's new government under Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Key Facts
- Eight Israeli strikes hit the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria on Tuesday.
- The airbase is located about 70 km from the Turkish border and had been out of service as a military airfield for over a decade.
- Turkey was not notified before the Israeli attack.
- Washington assessed a real risk of Turkish fighters being scrambled and a direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey.
- Ankara is training the Syrian army and helping rebuild military infrastructure under agreements with the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Strike
Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria with eight strikes on Tuesday. The attack was carried out because Israel determined that Damascus was preparing to allow Turkish troops onto the base, despite repeated Israeli warnings. Turkey was not notified before the attack. The Turkish military detected Israeli aircraft flying north toward the Turkish border without knowing their target.
Confrontation Risk
Washington viewed the situation as creating a real risk of Turkish fighters being scrambled and a direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey. Israel claims that Damascus was taking steps to let Turkish forces on the base that violated Syria's security status quo with Israel. The fight is over how much of Syria Turkey can turn into a permanent military position.
Turkish-Syrian Military Cooperation
Ankara is already training the Syrian army and helping rebuild bases and other military infrastructure in deals with the new government of Ahmed al-Sharaa. Abu al-Duhur is about 70 km from the Turkish border and had been out of service as a dedicated military airfield for more than a decade. The base was being refurbished with Turkish support. For Israel, the base would bring Turkish forces deeper into northwestern Syria and closer to Israel, with Syria benefiting from Turkish military training and other agreements that Israel views as a threat to its own borders.
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Israel Strikes Abu al-Duhur Airbase to Block Turkish Deployment in Syria
