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Airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur
Türkiye and 11 other countries condemned Israeli airstrikes targeting the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria, calling the attacks an "extreme escalation" and a "flagrant violation" of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity.
“calling the attacks an "extreme escalation" and a violation of the country's sovereignty”
The joint statement said the ministers urged the international community to take a "firm, clear and principled position" and to take "concrete steps" under international law and the UN Charter to end the violations and secure the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas.
Israel carried out airstrikes on the Abu Al-Duhur military air base after eight Israeli airstrikes hit the runway and storage facilities there, and the strikes were described as the first Israeli attack on Syrian government facilities since March.
DW reported that Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Recep Tayyip Erdogan was "dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria" after Israel said Turkish troops were about to deploy there.
DW also reported that Turkey’s Defense Ministry denied it had any military presence at the Syrian air base and called the strikes "unacceptable" and "reckless."
Competing narratives and warnings
DW said Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Syria not to allow a Turkish presence at the air base, adding, "Our message was very clear. Don't. I guess they didn't quite understand the message," after Israel’s strike.
In an interview with US outlet Axios, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said, "There was no intention to establish a Turkish base there, nor to establish a permanent Turkish military presence or deploy Turkish forces at the site," and argued Israel had no legitimate justification for the bombing.
Al-Jazeera Net reported that 12 Arab and Islamic countries issued a joint statement denouncing the Israeli attack as a serious escalation and a flagrant violation of sovereignty, security, stability, and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Al-Jazeera Net also quoted former U.S. ambassador Robert Ford saying Turkey and Israel "have already entered a competition for influence in Syria" and warned the rivalry could turn into an unintended military confrontation.
The same Al-Jazeera Net account said Ford urged Washington to appoint a special envoy urgently to travel between Syria, Turkey, and Israel and stressed the need for "red lines" between the two sides.
Status quo, damage, and stakes
Al-Jazeera Net said Israeli aircraft launched strikes on the runway of Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province, northwestern Syria, causing damage to its infrastructure.
“On Tuesday, Israeli aircraft launched several strikes on the runway of Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province”
It reported that satellite images showed the effects of five strikes on the air facility, and that the latest satellite image captured after the Aug. 19 strike showed dark burn spots and damage along the runway and at its intersections with side taxiways.
Al-Jazeera Net added that Israel claimed there was a prior agreement to maintain the status quo on security matters, while Syria was on the verge of violating what it described as the agreement by allowing Turkish forces to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo.
Arab News reported that the 12 foreign ministers warned repeated attacks risked undermining Syria’s efforts to restore security and rebuild institutions after more than a decade of war.
Arab News said the ministers called for respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied Syrian areas, while Al-Jazeera Net described the continued targeting as threatening to escalate tensions and harm respect for international law and the UN Charter.