Israel attacks Abu Dhaher after unprecedented Turkish-Syrian training
Following a series of threats issued by leaders of the occupation state regarding the imminent risk of military clash or friction with Turkey on Syrian territory, and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s insistence that Israel is primarily responsible for igniting wars and tensions in the region, the Abu al-Dhour military base in Idlib, Syria, came under air strikes targeting its main runway and aircraft hangars. The attack was accused by Damascus, Ankara, and Washington of being carried out by Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Information indicated that eight strikes targeted the strategic base, located approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish border, causing material damage just days after unprecedented Turkish-Syrian training following the fall of the Assad regime.
Regional sources stated that the strikes, which Israel has officially declined to claim, occurred after a Turkish military delegation visited the airport to discuss rehabilitating its runway, following training sessions by the new Syrian Army on using Russian-made MiG-21 fighter jets.
In the first American reaction to the development, which sends a “fiery message” to Ankara, US envoy to Damascus Tom Barrack said the United States is deeply concerned about the Israeli strikes, considering them an “unnecessary escalation” that does not serve regional stability.
Barrack called on the parties involved to exercise restraint and adopt dialogue, noting that the Syrian transitional government does not pursue an aggressive approach against Israel nor use proxy forces.
For its part, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the “unjustified aggressive raids,” warning that the blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and integrity constitutes a serious escalation, and calling for a firm UN and international stance.
The ministry affirmed that “the continuation of Israeli attacks since December 8, 2024, at a time when the Syrian state is committed to restraint and working to consolidate stability and avoid escalation, once again reveals the occupation’s attempts to undermine these efforts and drag the region into further tension.”
Following the attack, several Arab and Gulf countries and entities condemned the aggression, led by Kuwait. The Kuwaiti Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its condemnation of the Israeli occupation’s raids, deeming them an escalation that could undermine the security and stability of the region.
The Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry called on the international community and the Security Council to fulfill their responsibilities in stopping the occupation’s repeated aggression on Syrian territory. It reaffirmed Kuwait’s firm position supporting Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, security, and stability.
Earlier reports from Israeli media indicated that Israel had requested the United States to carry out a new strike inside Syrian depth to prevent the Turkish president from advancing steps to rehabilitate the forces of the government of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, but the Trump administration halted the operation, contrary to previous instances.
