Katz says Syria air base strike motivated by alleged Turkish plans to deploy forces there

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that a recent attack on a Syrian air base was motivated by alleged Turkish plans to deploy forces there. The strike took place on Monday night at the Abu Duhur military airport in northwestern Syria. Katz cited intelligence reports as the reason for the operation, which aimed to prevent Turkey from carrying out activities that could endanger Israel's security.

Following consultations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the military, Israel issued a direct warning to the Syrian regime to deter their alleged plans. However, both Syria and Turkey have categorically denied any intention to deploy troops or establish a permanent presence at the base. US envoy for Syria and Iraq, Tom Barrack, criticized the attack as an "unnecessary escalation," alleging that Israel was attempting to provoke Turkey into conflict to gain politically. Katz dismissed these allegations as inaccurate and at odds with the stance of US President Trump.