Turkish military personnel were not at Syrian airbase 'during or before' Israeli strike

Turkish military officials confirmed that no Turkish military personnel were present at the Syrian airbase of Abu al-Duhur during or prior to an Israeli airstrike on August 18. The National Defense Ministry stated that no delegation from Turkey had been stationed at the site before or during the attack, which took place near the Turkish border in the eastern countryside of Idlib. Israeli warplanes launched multiple strikes targeting the airbase, located approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish frontier. According to the defense ministry, the strike occurred amid ongoing tensions in the region. Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, a spokesperson for the ministry, criticized Israel for its actions, stating they threatened Syria’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He emphasized that such attacks should not be perceived as routine or acceptable, stressing the need for regional stability and lasting peace. The ministry reiterated its commitment to supporting Syria’s infrastructure and military development under the principle of “one army,” which aims to unify military efforts between the two nations. The Israeli government, however, defended the strike, asserting that it was necessary to counter what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described as the threat posed by Turkey’s military expansion in Syria. This claim aligns with historical patterns of Israeli military activity in the country, which have often focused on neutralizing Iranian influence and disrupting Hezbollah operations. Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israel reportedly broadened its targets to include weapons depots, missile sites, and other strategic locations across Syria. Local and military sources reported that the airstrike damaged the runway and warehouses at Abu al-Duhur, though no casualties were recorded. Syrian state television cited a military source confirming the extent of the damage. Meanwhile, reports from the London-based Arabic-language outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed suggested that a Turkish military delegation had visited the airbase the day before the strike. According to these sources, the team was inspecting preliminary work aimed at restoring the runway’s functionality. Some communications equipment was reportedly already at the base, and a Bayraktar reconnaissance drone had operated in the vicinity. After the delegation departed, an Israeli reconnaissance aircraft circled the area, followed by the airstrike several hours later. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in London, corroborated this account, adding that the presence of Turkish forces at the site could have influenced the timing and nature of the Israeli response. These conflicting accounts highlight the complexity of the situation, with different sources offering varying perspectives on the events leading up to the strike. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a separate condemnation of the attack, calling it a violation of Syria’s territorial integrity and urging the international community to take stronger measures against Israel’s actions. The ministry accused Israel of escalating its aggression, which it claims is increasingly disregarding international law. It urged greater international involvement to hold Israel accountable for its repeated violations of Syria’s sovereignty. The attack on Abu al-Duhur underscores the ongoing volatility of the region, where military engagements between rival powers continue to shape the landscape. As tensions persist, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the humanitarian and geopolitical consequences of such conflicts. With no immediate resolution in sight, the focus remains on the potential for further escalation and the broader implications for regional stability.