Israeli warplanes strike airfield runway in Syria's Idlib, state TV reports

Israeli warplanes conducted eight air strikes on Tuesday morning, targeting the runway of Abu Al Duhur military airfield in eastern Idlib, according to Syrian state television. The strikes resulted in damage to the airbase's infrastructure, but no injuries were reported. Israel has been intensifying its attacks on Syria since the former dictator Bashar Al Assad's regime fell in December 2024, attributing the strikes to the targeting of weapons and missile depots from the previous regime.

Following the regime's downfall, Israeli forces entered a demilitarized zone in southern Syria, including the strategic Mount Hermon overlooking Damascus. Since then, Israel has launched strikes on Syrian soil, detained individuals, and intervened in missions aimed at protecting ethnic minority Druze in southwestern Syria. Some analysts question Israel's motives, suggesting they may be driven by concerns over Turkey's growing influence in Syria.

In March, Israel conducted strikes on Syrian government infrastructure in response to attacks on Druze communities in Sweida. Syria's Foreign Ministry denounced the latest Israeli attack, labeling it a "blatant violation" of international law, an affront to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Israel is also seeking to counter what it perceives as increasing Turkish influence in the region.

President Ahmad Al Shara of Syria has expressed interest in reaching a security agreement with Israel, potentially leading to a comprehensive peace deal. However, Al Shara emphasized that any agreement must respect Syria's right to the Golan Heights, an area captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981.