Turkey Condemns Israeli Airstrike on Syrian Base Near Turkish Border as War Provocation

Israel has officially acknowledged conducting an airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur Airbase in northwestern Syria, located approximately 55 to 72 kilometers from the Turkish border. The attack targeted runways and storage facilities intended for radar and air defense systems. This action sparked intense backlash in Turkey, with the pro-government newspaper Türkiye labeling it a "war provocation." National security expert Mete Yeter issued a combative call on live broadcast, challenging Israel to fight if it had the courage.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed the strike, explaining that Israel and Syria had previously agreed on a security status quo, which Syria violated by allowing Turkish troops to deploy at the airbase near Aleppo. Israel had repeatedly warned that such deployments posed a threat to its security, but Syria ignored these warnings. The strike coincided with a call from U.S. Middle East envoy Tom Barrett urging restraint, and Turkish media highlighted tensions between the U.S. and Israel over the incident.

Turkish outlets linked the attack to a recent phone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and U.S. President Donald Trump, in which they reached agreements on Iran and peace in Gaza. Türkiye claimed the call unsettled Israel, prompting Prime Minister Netanyahu to panic and attack Syria, while Sabah declared Turkey as the "new architect of the Middle East." Amid rising tensions, Erdoğan stated in an Al Jazeera interview that Turkey seeks peace but will not shy away from war if provoked.

In response to the strained situation, Turkey announced its readiness to cooperate with Damascus on oil and gas exploration. Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the state company TPAO and private firms are prepared to conduct surveys and drilling. Additionally, the two countries will soon activate a new electricity infrastructure expected to triple Syria's power transmission capacity.