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Abu al-Duhur Strike
Israeli strikes on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib Governorate on Tuesday drew a sharp dispute with Turkey, which denied Israeli claims of Turkish forces being present there and said it would continue cooperation with the Syrian government “on a project basis” to support security, stability, and welfare in Syria.
“about 70 kilometers from the Turkish border”
Akhbar al-Ghad reported that Israeli security sources warned that the public campaign led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz against Turkey could push bilateral relations toward an “unnecessary” escalation ahead of the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27.
Akhbar al-Ghad also said the Israeli army pursued an attack on Abu al-Duhur, described as about 70 kilometers from the Turkish border, while some Israeli security entities preferred to keep the attack away from official statements and media spotlight to avoid a direct confrontation with Ankara.
In response to the Israeli rhetoric, the Turkish Presidency’s Communications Directorate said Netanyahu’s government portraying Turkey as a “new threat” reflected “security populism” and a policy of escalating threats as Israeli elections approach.
The Turkish response also included a denial of any Turkish military delegation at Abu Al-Duhur before or during the attack, with Berhanuddin Duran saying, “We have enough experience not to fall into the trap of figures like Netanyahu; their goal is to undermine peace and stability in our region.”
Rhetoric and Warnings
Akhbar al-Ghad said Israeli security officials warned that Netanyahu and Katz’s sharp public statements after the Abu al-Duhur attack could inflame the situation and push relations with Turkey toward further deterioration without a security necessity.
The same report cited Channel 12’s account that the Israeli army pushed toward carrying out the attack, but security authorities wanted it “under the radar,” away from the spotlight and official statements, to avoid a direct confrontation with Ankara.
Akhbar al-Ghad further reported that Turkey’s communications directorate said Netanyahu’s government attempt to portray Turkey as a new threat came within “irresponsible security populism and escalating threats” as elections approached.
In parallel, Al-Jazirah Net said Katz attacked Erdoğan, saying he “drags Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria,” while Netanyahu hardened his stance toward Ankara by stating that “Erdoğan is a tyrant hostile to the Jewish people.”
Al-Jazirah Net added that the Israeli security establishment was not pleased with these statements, viewing them as potentially heating the front and worsening relations with Turkey without an essential security reason.
Diplomatic Fallout
As the Syria-Turkey-Israel dispute widened, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ announced on Friday that his ministry had asked the Interior Ministry to take steps to issue a “red notice” against Netanyahu in a case accusing him of “genocide,” and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office replied that “Israel will continue to act strongly against Turkey’s attempts to destabilize the region.”
“Turkey issued an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu”
Agencia Noticias Argentinas said Turkey issued an international arrest warrant against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as part of an investigation into Israel’s interception of a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza and the detention of hundreds of activists aboard, with Justice Minister Akin Gurlek announcing it on Friday.
El Mundo described the “table in Syria” as widening the gap between Israel and Turkey, saying Gürlek requested Interpol issue an international arrest warrant for Netanyahu as part of the case over the assault on the Global Sumud flotilla for alleged genocide, crimes against humanity, and torture.
Haaretz reported that Syria and Turkey were seeking to avoid a broader conflict with Israel even as Israeli strikes in the country increased pressure on both countries.
Haaretz also said one man was wounded Saturday in southwestern Syria in an Israeli drone strike on a truck, and that Israel had not claimed responsibility for strikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase while officials said Damascus violated security understandings by allowing a Turkish military presence.