Syria Denies Turkish Military Presence After Israeli Airstrike on Abu al-Duhur Base

Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal al-Miqdad asserted in an interview with Axios that Syria had clearly informed Israel there was no Turkish military presence or cooperation at the Abu al-Duhur airbase. He emphasized that the base was largely empty, undergoing reconstruction, and not operational, denying any Turkish military buildup that could justify Israel's recent airstrike.

The Israeli strike came shortly after an unusual phone call last week between Mossad chief David Barnea and the Syrian Foreign Minister, focusing on concerns about Turkey's increasing military activity near the Syrian border. This call marked one of the highest-level contacts between Jerusalem and the new Damascus government since Bashar al-Assad's regime solidified power.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a stern warning to Turkey against establishing a military foothold in Syria, stating Israel would not tolerate any such presence threatening its security. Netanyahu claimed Israel had previously communicated this message clearly but felt compelled to act more decisively after it was ignored.

Following the Israeli admission of responsibility for the airstrike, Syrian authorities accused Israel of violating a security status quo agreement by attacking the base. Meanwhile, Turkish media responded aggressively, condemning Israel's actions as a serious provocation and calling for a strong response. Turkish security experts publicly challenged Israel to confront them militarily if it dared.

This episode highlights escalating tensions involving Syria, Israel, and Turkey amid shifting alliances and military deployments in northern Syria, with diplomatic and military maneuvers intensifying in the region.