Syrian Foreign Minister Denies Turkish Military Base Amid Israeli Airstrike on Abu al-Duhur Airbase

Israel conducted an airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur Airbase in northern Syria, about 70 kilometers from the Turkish border, dropping at least eight bombs on runways and hangars. The attack caused damage to recently repaired runways but resulted in no casualties. Israeli and American sources said the strike was motivated by concerns over a potential Turkish military buildup at the base. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Israel had warned Syria against allowing a Turkish presence there, stating, "Our message was very clear: don't do it. I assume they didn't fully understand the message."

However, Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad (also referred to as Asaad al-Shibani) rejected these claims in an interview with Israeli journalist Barak Ravid on Channel 12. He said the base was mostly empty and undergoing infrastructure repairs from war damage. While acknowledging that Turkish officers visited the site recently as part of routine military cooperation, he denied any intention to establish a Turkish military base or permanent presence. Al-Miqdad emphasized Syria's sovereignty and its military cooperation with multiple countries including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar, and Russia.

He also revealed that Syria engaged in year-long negotiations with Israel, mediated by the Trump administration, resulting in a draft security agreement which Israel later withdrew from. Syria remains interested in resuming talks to ensure mutual security but warned that Israeli military actions increase regional instability. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, briefed on the strike, declined to comment on its timing or details and refrained from criticizing the operation.

Summary: Israel struck Syria's Abu al-Duhur Airbase to prevent a Turkish military presence, but Syria's foreign minister denied plans for a Turkish base and called for renewed security talks with Israel.

Points: - Israel bombed Abu al-Duhur Airbase to stop alleged Turkish military buildup. - Syrian Foreign Minister denied any Turkish base or permanent presence plans. - Syrian base was mostly empty, undergoing war damage repairs. - Syria engaged in year-long security talks with Israel, which stalled. - Syria seeks to renew talks but warns Israeli strikes increase instability. - Trump was briefed on the strike but did not comment publicly.

Topic: security israel_relevant: true entities: {"people": ["Benjamin Netanyahu", "Faisal al-Miqdad", "Barak Ravid", "Donald Trump"], "organizations": ["Israeli military", "Channel 12", "Trump administration"], "places": ["Abu al-Duhur Airbase", "Syria", "Turkey", "Israel"]}