Israel Warns of Threat from Al-Julani’s Efforts to Rebuild Syrian Army

The Israeli Air Force reportedly struck weapons systems at the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province, northwest Syria, using eight missiles to damage air defenses and runways. The base is located about 60 kilometers from the Turkish border and roughly 300 kilometers from Israel. These strikes followed a visit by a Turkish military delegation to the base, according to foreign reports. Israel has chosen not to officially comment on these reports.

A senior Israeli defense official described Syrian President Al-Julani as a dangerous figure, labeling him an extremist jihadist hostile to Israel. The official noted that Al-Julani is currently focused on stabilizing Syria and rebuilding its regular army with support from various countries, including Turkey. This military buildup is viewed by Israel as a direct threat to its security, with Israel having communicated a red line to the United States regarding these developments.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, emphasized that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from the security zone established inside Syrian territory on the Golan Heights. The Israeli military also commits to protecting the Druze population in Suwayda indefinitely. Meanwhile, Israel is handling relations with Turkey cautiously amid recent harsh and antisemitic rhetoric from Turkish officials, who have also issued veiled threats. Israeli assessments suggest Turkey is encouraging Al-Julani’s efforts to strengthen the fragmented Syrian army.

Historically, following the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, the IDF launched rapid operations to destroy Syrian military assets, including aircraft, air defenses, missile sites, and naval vessels. The current concern is that the rearmament under Al-Julani could undermine Israel’s freedom of operation in the region, prompting heightened Israeli vigilance and diplomatic engagement with the US and other international actors.