Trump envoy 'deeply concerned' by Israeli strikes on Syrian air base

US special envoy for Syria and US ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack expressed deep concern over Israeli air strikes on a Syrian air base on Tuesday. The strikes targeted the Abu al-Duhur military air base in northern Syria, which Barrack labeled as an unnecessary escalation. Despite Israel's claim of targeting Shia militants with ties to Iran, Barrack refuted the allegations, stating that the Syrian government expelled those forces from Syria.

He emphasized that Syria did nothing to provoke the attack and that the Syrian government had repeatedly indicated a preference for de-escalation with Israel. The Syrian government condemned the attack and reported that eight strikes hit the runway of the defunct air base. Barrack, who met with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani earlier in Istanbul, Turkey, called for restraint and engagement as the more constructive course of action.