# Israeli military operations in Syria > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-military-operations-in-syria > Updated: 2026-08-18T05:06:16.000Z. Sources: 119. Developments: 2. Israeli military operations in Syria have expanded from ground-based incursions in the south to airstrikes in the north. In the Dera and Quneitra provinces, Israeli forces have intensified raids, established checkpoints, and constructed approximately 10 military bases or points since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad administration in December 2024. Israel has justified this presence by claiming the 1974 Disengagement Agreement is no longer valid. More recently, Israel conducted airstrikes against the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Idlib province, targeting the runway and storage facilities. The operation reportedly included eight separate hits, causing significant material damage but resulting in no reported casualties. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated the operation was necessary to prevent Syria from breaching a security status quo by allowing Turkish troops to deploy near Aleppo. These actions have drawn international condemnation. Turkey rejected Israeli allegations regarding troop deployments, calling them “frivolous,” while the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs labeled the strikes an “unjustified act of aggression.” U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack, who also serves as the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, described the strikes as an “unnecessary escalation” and emphasized the risk of direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey. He noted that the United States is actively working to establish a deconfliction mechanism between Israel, Turkey, and Syria to prevent future miscommunications. ## Claims - Syrian state television reported that Israeli aircraft conducted eight strikes targeting the runway of the Abu al-Zuhur military airport. (disputed by 26 sources) - The attack consisted of four air strikes. (disputed by 11 sources) - The strikes caused material damage to the airport infrastructure but resulted in no reported casualties. (corroborated by 22 sources) - US Special Envoy Tom Barrack described the strikes as an ‘unnecessary escalation’ that does not promote regional stability. (corroborated by 19 sources) - The airstrikes specifically targeted the airport runway. (corroborated by 13 sources) - This is the first attack on the Abu al-Zuhur facility since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024. (corroborated by 13 sources) - Israel claims Syria violated a security status quo agreement by allowing Turkish troops at the airfield. (corroborated by 12 sources) - The strikes occurred following a visit by a Turkish military delegation to the airport aimed at rehabilitating the facility. (corroborated by 11 sources) - The Israeli military declined to comment on the strikes. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The Abu al-Zuhur military airfield has been out of service since 2012. (corroborated by 9 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-18: Israel strikes Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria Israel struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase to prevent Turkish troop deployment, an act the U.S. called an “unnecessary escalation” that risks direct confrontation between Israel and Turkey. 117 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/abu-al-zuhour-military-airport-hit-by-four-air-strikes-in-syria ### 2026-08-16: Israeli military intensifies raids in southern Syria Israeli forces have increased military incursions and raids in Syria's Dera and Quneitra provinces, establishing new bases and conducting numerous airstrikes since late 2024. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-military-intensifies-raids-in-southern-syria --- Cite as: Israeli military operations in Syria. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/israeli-military-operations-in-syria