Israel struck Syrian base despite being told no Turkish troops: Barrack

Israeli forces conducted an unannounced airstrike on a Syrian airbase near the Turkish border on August 18, creating a heightened risk of unintended military conflict between Israel and Turkey, according to U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria Tom Barrack. The attack occurred amid ongoing diplomatic discussions involving Washington, Damascus, and Tel Aviv over potential Turkish military activities in northern Syria. According to Barrack, who spoke with PBS NewsHour on August 21, Israeli aircraft approached within approximately 80 kilometers of Turkey's border without prior notification to Ankara. Over the previous five days, Israel had informed both Washington and Damascus of its concerns regarding possible Turkish troop movements or deployments at the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria. During this period, Washington engaged its intelligence agencies to assess the situation, while Syrian authorities reportedly conveyed to Israel's Mossad intelligence service that there were no Turkish troops, convoys, or weapons present at the facility. Additionally, Syria assured Israel that no hostile actions were taking place at the site. Despite these assurances, Israel proceeded with the strike on August 18, causing damage to the airfield's runways. Barrack emphasized that the attack was unexpected and warned against such kinetic interactions, stating that avoiding surprises should remain the objective among all parties involved. In a follow-up interview with Reuters, he noted that Turkey observed aircraft moving northward toward its territory and could have reasonably prepared a countermeasure. However, he added that cooler heads prevailed, preventing the situation from escalating further. While acknowledging Israel's security concerns, Barrack stated that neither Turkey nor Syria had demonstrated any hostile intentions. He encouraged Israel to resolve its issues through direct communication with Ankara rather than resorting to unilateral military action. Israel later confirmed the strike, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing it as an unnecessary escalation that did not contribute to regional stability. Netanyahu claimed the operation aimed to prevent a Turkish troop deployment and accused Syria of approaching a violation of what Israel refers to as the existing security framework. Both Ankara and Damascus have consistently denied any plans to establish a Turkish base or maintain a permanent military presence at Abu al-Duhur. Turkey's Defense Ministry affirmed that no Turkish military delegation was stationed at the base either before or during the attack. Ankara reiterated its commitment to supporting Syria's reconstruction efforts, including enhancing its military capabilities, based on the principle of "one state, one army." On August 13, 2025, Turkey and Syria signed a memorandum outlining collaborative military training and consultancy initiatives. This agreement encompasses areas such as training programs, technical support, and mutual visits designed to bolster Syria's defensive capacities. Turkey maintains that its involvement is at the request of the Syrian government and aims to strengthen national unity, territorial integrity, and anti-terrorism efforts. Relations between Turkey and Israel grew more strained following Netanyahu's office attributing blame to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey's Communications Directorate dismissed these claims as devoid of historical accuracy and political gravity, accusing the Israeli government of using such rhetoric for electoral advantage. Barrack pointed out that much of the hostility stemmed from political motivations, noting that Israel was undergoing an election season. He advocated for reduced tensions and a renewed focus on dialogue.