Syria, US condemn Israeli strikes on military base

Israeli airstrikes hit an unused airbase in Idlib province, Syria, on Tuesday, according to Syrian state media. The attacks, which targeted the runway and storage facilities at Abu al-Duhur base, damaged infrastructure but did not result in casualties. Syrian state-run broadcaster Al-Ikhbariya reported that the strikes originated from Israeli occupation aircraft.

The base, which has been out of service for over a decade, was reportedly being used as a training center for Syria's new army since Bashar Assad's ouster in December 2024. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor, stated that Turkey facilitated a military delegation's visit to the airfield, aimed at reactivating the base.

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq, Tom Barrack, expressed deep concern over the strikes, emphasizing the need for de-escalation. Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the strikes, urging the international community to take a firm stance against Israel's violations of Syrian sovereignty. Israel has launched hundreds of strikes on Syria since Assad's ouster, maintaining a self-declared security zone in southern Syria.

Turkish officials have accused Israel of destabilizing Syria, while Israeli officials have declared their intention to keep forces in the zone indefinitely.