Barak: Golan is occupied Syrian land, and justifications for Idlib attack are "incorrect"

Ankara – Agencies: U.S. Special Envoy to Syria and Iraq Thomas Barrack affirmed that the Golan Heights “remain Syrian territory under Israeli occupation,” adding, “Israel continues to occupy the Golan in violation of United Nations resolutions and the international order, which stipulates that it belongs to Syria.” He noted that Israeli incursions into Lebanon and Syria could continue until the situation calms down. (See page 13.)

Barrack, who also serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, stated that the intelligence on which Israel based its airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase, located east of Idlib province in northwestern Syria, “was not accurate.” In a press interview, he said he did not know the reason for the strike but could convey the responses he had received regarding it. He pointed out that Israel had received intelligence suggesting Turkey might be transferring military assets to an airbase in Syria, and that it had shared this information with the U.S. administration.

Barrack explained that the United States verified this intelligence, saying, “We consulted our intelligence agencies, and the response we received was that this claim was incorrect.” He also indicated the possibility of “deficiencies in information sharing” between the Israeli military, the Mossad, and the Prime Minister’s Office. He affirmed that neither the United States nor Turkey had been notified about the attack.

Barrack described the Turkish military as “strong and courageous,” noting that it is “very well-equipped and knows its job well.”