Israel blames Turkey after strike on Syrian airbase

Israel has accused Turkey of posing a threat by preparing to send troops to a Syrian military airbase, which was recently struck by Israeli forces. The US, which has supported Syria's new government, condemned the strike, but Israel defied US expectations. The attack marks a significant breach of the status quo between Israel and Syria regarding security matters.

Israel had previously warned Syria that allowing Turkish troops on the airbase near Aleppo would pose a threat to its security. Turkey, Israel's only Muslim-majority ally and a NATO member, has a strained relationship with Turkey, particularly due to Turkey's vocal opposition to Israel, especially regarding its Gaza offensive. The US envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, described the strikes as an unnecessary escalation that hinders regional stability.

Since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Israel has launched numerous strikes on Syria, including sending troops into the UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights. The recent strike targeted the runway of the Abu Duhur airbase in Idlib province, causing infrastructure damage but no casualties.

Syria's foreign ministry condemned the attack as an "unjustified act of aggression," urging the UN Security Council to take action. Despite ongoing tensions, Israel and Syria have engaged in several rounds of direct talks, agreeing to establish an intelligence-sharing mechanism. However, tensions remain high, with Israel maintaining its presence in Syrian territory, including the annexed Golan Heights, a move not recognized by the international community.