Attack on military airfield in Syria: Israel rejects US criticism

Israeli officials have rejected criticism from the United States over an attack on a military airfield in northwestern Syria, according to reports. The Israeli defense minister, Israel Katz, accused U.S. special envoy Tom Barrack of making statements filled with inaccuracies during a public appearance on the social media platform X. The incident occurred after Israeli forces struck the abandoned Abu Duhur military airport in the province of Idlib on Tuesday. The U.S. envoy had initially condemned the strike as an unnecessary escalation and later suggested it might have been intended to provoke a conflict with Turkey. In response, Katz criticized Barrack’s remarks, stating they contradicted positions held by former U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Golan Heights, which Israel has occupied since 1967. Barrack referred to the area as “occupied,” a characterization that Katz argued was inconsistent with Trump's stance. According to Israeli authorities, the attack on the airfield was justified due to perceived security threats posed by the presence of Turkish troops stationed there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that the strike served as a clear warning to Turkey against establishing a military base within Syria, a country aligned with Ankara. Turkey denied the allegations, maintaining its position that it does not support such actions. Security sources in Syria indicated that the Abu Duhur military airport has been out of commission since 2012 and is currently under the watch of units from the Syrian Defense Ministry. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Turkish military delegation visited the site shortly before the Israeli strike took place. Turkey plays a crucial role as a key ally to the transitional government led by President Ahmed al-Scharaa, who assumed power following the ouster of long-time leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Since Assad’s removal, Israel has deployed troops into a neutral UN buffer zone on the Golan Heights in southern Syria and has conducted multiple attacks on targets deep within Syrian territory. Following the fall of Assad, tensions have escalated between Israel and several regional actors, including Iran and Hezbollah, both of whom have increased their influence in Syria. The recent Israeli strike on the Abu Duhur airfield adds another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation in the region. The Israeli military action comes amid ongoing disputes over territorial control and strategic interests in the Middle East. With Turkey’s involvement in Syria and its close ties to the current regime, the potential for further conflict remains high. Both Israel and Turkey have expressed their respective positions clearly, with neither showing signs of backing down from their stances. As the situation unfolds, international observers are closely monitoring developments in the region, particularly focusing on how the U.S., which maintains diplomatic relations with both Israel and Turkey, will navigate its role in mediating any potential escalations. The dynamics between these nations could significantly impact the broader geopolitical landscape in the Middle East.