Syrian Foreign Minister Denounces Israeli Airstrike on Abu al-Duhur Airbase as Unjustified

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani gave an exclusive interview to Channel 12 News on August 20, 2026, condemning Israel's recent airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northern Syria. He stated that Israel had no legitimate justification for the attack, emphasizing that the base was mostly empty and undergoing reconstruction, not a site of Turkish military buildup as Israel claimed. Al-Shibani confirmed that Turkish officers had visited the base days before the strike for military cooperation related to training and knowledge exchange, but denied any plans for a permanent Turkish presence.

The Israeli airstrike occurred early Tuesday morning, targeting runways and hangars approximately 70 kilometers from the Turkish border, damaging recently repaired infrastructure but causing no casualties. Israeli officials informed the Trump administration that the strike aimed to prevent a Turkish military buildup at the base. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel had warned Syria against allowing Turkish forces there, but the message was apparently ignored.

Al-Shibani revealed that Syria and Israel had communicated prior to the strike, with Syria clarifying the nature of the reconstruction work and asserting full Syrian sovereignty over the base. He also said Syria had engaged with the U.S. administration before and after the attack to express concerns and seek de-escalation. He accused Israel of backing away from commitments made under a U.S.-brokered agreement and called for mutual responsibility in calming tensions, urging Israel to reconsider its military policies toward Syria.

Looking ahead, al-Shibani expressed Syria's willingness to pursue a security agreement with Israel to reduce border tensions, provided there is genuine political will. He stressed that security concerns must be addressed on both sides to achieve lasting stability and respect for Syrian sovereignty, warning that continued Israeli military actions only increase instability in the region.