A US envoy says Israel did not give a warning to the US ahead of a recent Syria air strike

The U.S. special envoy to Syria, Tom Barrack, stated that Israel did not provide a warning to the United States prior to striking an air base in northern Syria this week. This came despite concerns of an escalating conflict with Turkey. The attack on the Abu Duhur base on Tuesday resulted in damage, but no casualties. Barrack suggested that Israel may have targeted the base in an attempt to "bait the Turks" and potentially escalate the situation.

The Israeli military's decision to strike the base appears to have been driven by intelligence suggesting Turkey may be increasing its presence in the region. Barrack indicated that Israel and Turkey had come close to direct confrontation, with Turkey potentially scrambling its own jets upon witnessing Israeli jets approaching the border.

The Turkish military had visited the air base in the northern Idlib province a day prior to the attack to assess ongoing reconstruction work. Israel had expressed concerns about Turkish military activity at the base. Turkey supports Syria's reconstruction efforts by providing training, equipment, and logistical assistance. A defense pact between Turkey and Saudi Arabia was recently signed.

Israel maintains suspicion towards the new Syrian leadership, led by former Islamist insurgents, and has carried out numerous airstrikes in Syria since the fall of the Assad government in late 2024. Turkey did not respond militarily to the Israeli strikes but the incident further strained already tense relations between the two nations.