Israel strikes Syrian airbase to block Turkish military deployment

Published Aug 21, 12:00 PM UTC

Israel bombed the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria on Tuesday, launching eight strikes to prevent Turkey from deploying forces there. The base, located 70 km from the Turkish border, had been out of service for over a decade and was being refurbished with Turkish support under deals with Syria's new government led by Ahmed al-Sharaa. Israel views Turkish military expansion deeper into Syria as a threat to its borders and seeks to establish a veto over where Turkey can station troops. Turkey was not notified before the attack, and its military saw Israeli aircraft heading north toward the border, creating a risk of Turkish fighters being scrambled and a potential direct confrontation. The incident complicates U.S. efforts to stabilize al-Sharaa's government, as Washington backs both Turkey and Israel. Israel has enjoyed wide freedom to strike in Syria since Assad's fall but faces higher political costs if it attacks Turkish forces, though NATO protection does not cover Turkish troops on foreign soil.