Syrian Official Reveals Surprise Over Israeli Strike on Abu al-Duhur Base Amid Turkish Presence Claims
In the days leading up to Israel's August 18, 2026, airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur base in Syria near the Turkish border, multiple diplomatic talks took place involving Syrian Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad, Israeli Mossad chief David Barnea, and former Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. These discussions, reported by Al-Majalla, focused on Syrian and Turkish activities at the base and Israeli concerns about a potential Turkish military foothold there.
Damascus sought to reassure Israel that there was no intention to establish a permanent Turkish military base or deploy forces that would threaten Israel. The Syrian side emphasized that the base's runway restoration aimed to combat ISIS and prevent arms smuggling across borders with Iraq and Lebanon, not to target Israel. They acknowledged the presence of Turkish Bayraktar drones but framed them as tools for border security and anti-smuggling efforts.
Despite these assurances, Israel viewed any Turkish military presence as a direct threat and warned Syria against allowing such developments. According to the report, Washington attempted to mediate and prevent escalation, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly rejected American requests to avoid the strike. Syrian officials expressed surprise at the attack, stating the base was nearly empty and not fully operational.
A Turkish source denied any troops were stationed at Abu al-Duhur, accusing Israel of fabricating pretexts for strikes in neighboring countries. A Syrian official criticized Israel for undermining security agreements brokered by the U.S., noting that existing Turkish military facilities lie about 70 kilometers from the border, making a new base strategically unnecessary.
The incident highlights the complex triangular tensions between Israel, Syria, and Turkey, with the U.S. attempting to manage the conflict dynamics. Netanyahu stated Israel had warned Syria in advance against permitting Turkish military presence, but the message was not fully heeded. The strike underscores Israel's determination to prevent Turkish military entrenchment near its borders.
