US Envoy Warns Turkey Nearly Launched Military Response to Israeli Strikes in Syria

Tom Barrett, the US special envoy to Syria and ambassador to Turkey, revealed on Tuesday that Turkey was not warned in advance about Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military base in northwest Syria. The lack of prior notice nearly triggered a Turkish military response, Barrett told Reuters. He explained that Turkish forces detected Israeli jets moving north toward their territory and could have reasonably prepared their own countermeasures. Fortunately, measured voices prevented the situation from escalating further.

Barrett emphasized that the incident highlights the urgent need for a robust deconfliction mechanism among Israel, Turkey, and Syria to avoid misunderstandings and unintended clashes. While Washington is currently facilitating information sharing and dialogue between the parties, Barrett called for a stronger system to prevent future incidents. Earlier on the same day, four Israeli airstrikes targeted the runway at Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib province, causing damage but no casualties.

According to Barrett, the Israeli attack was based on an assessment, whether accurate or mistaken, that Turkey might soon expand its presence at the base. The US envoy's comments underscore the fragile security dynamics in the region and the risk of escalation without improved communication channels.