Israel strikes Syrian airbase to counter Turkish military presence

Israel conducted airstrikes against the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria, located approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish-Syrian border. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated the operation was intended to send a clear message against the potential deployment of Turkish military forces in Syria, which Israel views as a threat to its security.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would not tolerate changes in regional power balances that jeopardize its safety, noting that previous warnings to Damascus regarding Turkish military presence had been ignored. Following the strike, satellite imagery confirmed damage to the airbase runways near Aleppo.

While Israel maintains the base was being prepared for Turkish troop deployment, both Turkey and Syria have rejected these claims. Syria acknowledged that Turkish officers had visited the facility for training and technical exchange purposes but denied plans for a permanent Turkish military base at the site.