Israel and Turkey trade accusations after strike on Syrian airport

Turkey denied an Israeli allegation that Ankara was preparing to send troops to Syria after an attack on a Syrian military base. Turkey’s communications directorate called the accusation unfounded and said it legitimized attacks on Syria’s sovereignty. [1]

Israel’s government said Syria had violated an agreement by accepting Turkish troops at a base in northwestern Syria. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that Israel would not allow activity it considered a threat to its security. [1][2]

Syrian state television, citing an unidentified military source, reported that aircraft attacked the runway at Abu Duhur military airport with eight strikes. It said the attack caused infrastructure damage without casualties. [1]

The reported airport strike has disputed attribution: the United States criticized the attack and attributed it to Israel, while Israel did not publicly claim responsibility in the cited account. The reported Turkish deployment was also denied by Ankara. [1]

The airport was described as outside operation since 2012 and under the guard of Syria’s Defense Ministry. The reports therefore concern a military site whose operational status was already limited before the alleged strike. [1]