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 asserted that Israel had no legitimate justification for the attack, emphasizing that the base was largely under reconstruction and not operational, with no permanent Turkish military presence as Israel claimed. Al-Shibani confirmed that Turkish officers had visited the base days before the strike for joint training purposes, but denied any intention to establish a permanent Turkish military site there.

The Israeli airstrike, which occurred early Tuesday morning, targeted 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 Turkish military buildup at the base. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Israel had warned Syria against allowing Turkish forces to establish a presence there.

Al-Shibani revealed that Syria and Israel had engaged in talks prior to the strike regarding Turkish activities at the base, with Syria clarifying that the base remained under Syrian sovereignty and that no permanent Turkish deployment was planned. He also noted communications with the U.S. administration before and after the strike, expressing distrust of Israel's intentions and criticizing Israeli military escalations as destabilizing for Syria and the region.

Following the attack, Syria protested to the U.S. and other countries, urging respect for Syrian sovereignty and calling for de-escalation. Al-Shibani expressed Syria's continued interest in a security agreement with Israel to reduce border tensions, stressing that responsibility for calming the situation must be shared. He urged Israel to reconsider its policies and acknowledged that mutual recognition of security concerns is essential for long-term stability. He concluded that with genuine political will, negotiations could resume to ensure security for both nations and contribute to regional stability.