US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Israel Strikes Syria’s Abu al-Duhur Airbase Over Turkish Deployment Concerns; Turkey Condemns Attack, US Calls Strike ‘Unnecessary Escalation’
Israel struck Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase over reported Turkish deployment concerns, drawing condemnation from Turkey and criticism from the US, which called the attack an “unnecessary escalation.”
By: Nisha Srivastava
Last Updated: August 19, 2026 10:29:09 IST
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US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria on August 18, according to Syrian state media. The strikes hit the runway and storage areas at the facility near Aleppo. No casualties were reported. The attack drew condemnation from Turkey and criticism from US special envoy Tom Barrack, who called it an “unnecessary escalation”. Israel has not publicly commented on the strikes through its military, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later defended the action, saying it was linked to concerns over a possible Turkish military deployment at the Syrian base. Turkey has rejected the Israeli justification, while Washington has called for restraint and is working on a mechanism to prevent military misunderstandings between Israel, Turkey and Syria.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Israel Strikes Abu al-Duhur Airbase
Syrian state television reported that eight Israeli airstrikes targeted the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Idlib province. The attacks damaged parts of the runway and storage facilities, according to Syrian sources. A Syrian military source and a resident living near the airbase said there were no casualties. The facility is located roughly 70 kilometres from the Turkish border. The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the reported strikes. The Syrian Defence Ministry also did not provide an immediate response. The attack was significant because it was reported as the first Israeli strike against Syrian government facilities since March.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Turkey Condemns Israeli Airstrikes
Turkey strongly criticised the Israeli strikes and accused Israel of violating Syria’s territorial integrity. Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said the international community should take stronger action to stop what it described as Israel’s “escalating aggression” against Syria. “We call on the international community to take a more decisive stance to end Israel’s escalating aggression against Syria,” the ministry said. Turkey has been a major supporter of Syria’s new government since the fall of Bashar al-Assad. Ankara has also supported efforts to rebuild Syria’s military and state institutions.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Israel Cites Security Concerns Over Turkish Presence
The Israeli government later provided its explanation for the airstrikes. Netanyahu’s office said Syria had been close to violating an existing security “status quo” with Israel by allowing Turkish forces to deploy at the Abu al-Duhur facility. “Israel repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would pose a threat to Israel’s security. Syria chose to ignore these warnings,” Netanyahu’s office said. “Israel will not tolerate threats to its security,” it added, while saying Israel would welcome a return to the previous status quo. However, Turkey did not confirm that its troops had been deployed at the airbase, making the reported Turkish presence an important point of dispute in the Israeli justification.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: US Calls Israeli Strike ‘Unnecessary Escalation’
The United States has expressed concern over the Israeli operation. Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, said Washington was “deeply concerned” about the strikes on Abu al-Duhur. He described the operation as an “unnecessary escalation” that does not contribute to regional stability. “The United States continues to believe that restraint and engagement offer the more constructive course,” Barrack said, urging the parties involved to focus on dialogue rather than further military incidents. Barrack also said the United States was working to establish a deconfliction mechanism involving Israel, Turkey and Syria. The aim would be to reduce the risk of misunderstandings or an unintended military confrontation between the three countries.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Syria Calls for End to Israeli Strikes
Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani also condemned the attack and called for Israel to change its approach toward Syria. “These attacks don’t have security justifications,” Shibani said. He said Damascus would continue using diplomatic channels to push for an end to Israeli strikes against Syrian territory. The Syrian government has repeatedly sought to avoid a wider confrontation with Israel while also objecting to Israeli military operations and territorial actions in Syria.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Why Abu al-Duhur Airbase Matters
The Abu al-Duhur airbase is in Idlib province in northwestern Syria, around 70 kilometres from the Turkish border. The airbase has not operated as a dedicated military airfield since 2013 and changed hands several times during Syria’s civil war. Its location has nevertheless made it strategically important because of its proximity to Turkey and its potential role in rebuilding Syria’s military infrastructure. Since Assad’s government was overthrown in 2024, Israel has carried out repeated strikes against Syrian military assets. Israel has said it wants to prevent threats from emerging near its borders and has remained concerned about the military capabilities of Syria’s new leadership.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Israel-Turkey Tensions Increase Over Syria
The latest airstrikes have added another layer to the increasingly complicated relationship between Israel and Turkey. Turkey has emerged as a key supporter of Syria’s post-Assad government and has helped with military training, reconstruction and state-building efforts. Israel, meanwhile, has expressed concern about growing Turkish military involvement in Syria.
The two countries have previously established communication channels aimed at preventing military incidents in Syria, where their interests increasingly overlap. The latest strike has raised concerns that disagreements over Syria’s military rebuilding could create a direct confrontation between two countries that are both closely connected to the United States.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Regional Countries Condemn Israel Strike
The Israeli operation has also drawn criticism from several Arab countries. Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia condemned the strikes on the Syrian airbase and warned that continued military action could further destabilise the region. Saudi Arabia separately condemned the attack, adding to the regional criticism of Israel’s military action in Syria.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: What Happens Next?
The Abu al-Duhur strike has intensified tensions involving Israel, Turkey and Syria, while also creating another challenge for US diplomatic efforts in the region. Israel says its action was driven by security concerns surrounding a possible Turkish deployment. Turkey has condemned the strike and has not confirmed the Israeli claim about Turkish troops at the base. Washington, meanwhile, is seeking a communication mechanism between Israel, Turkey and Syria to prevent further incidents. For now, there is no confirmed indication of a direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey. The immediate focus is on diplomatic efforts to prevent further escalation and clarify the military arrangements around Syrian bases.
