Syria objected to the justification for Israel’s attack on Abu al-Duhur Air Base in the country’s north. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani rejected the defense of the attack based on the claim that Türkiye was establishing a military presence in the region.
Shaibani said the work at the base was limited to repairing runways and facilities for the Syrian Air Force. He said the Syrian government had informed Israeli officials before the attack that there were no plans to establish a Turkish base or a permanent Turkish military presence at the facility.
Runways and hangars damaged at Abu al-Duhur
At least eight bombs struck the runways and hangars in the attack, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday. The recently renovated runways were damaged, but there were no casualties.
U.S. and Israeli officials argued that the attack was intended to prevent Türkiye from establishing a military presence at the air base in Syria. Located approximately 72 kilometers from the Turkish border, the base was largely empty during the attack and had not yet become fully operational.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said they had warned Syria before the attack not to allow a Turkish presence at the facility. Shaibani, however, said the condition of the base did not support interpretations that there was a Turkish military presence or military buildup there.
Visit by Turkish officials took place as part of military cooperation
Shaibani acknowledged that Turkish military officials had visited the air base several days before the Israeli attack. However, the minister said the visit took place במסגרת the existing military cooperation, which includes training and the sharing of expertise.
Shaibani said Syria was also pursuing similar cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Qatar and Russia as it rebuilt its military and civilian institutions. He stressed that his country had the right to establish cooperation and alliances with any state.
Damascus contacts Israel and the United States
Shaibani said Syrian and Israeli officials had been in contact in the days before the attack. The minister said Damascus had explained to Israel the nature of the work at the air base and informed it that the activities at the facility were known and that the base would remain under Syria’s sovereignty and control.
The Syrian foreign minister said contacts had also been established with the U.S. administration before and after the attack to prevent further escalation. He said Damascus had protested the attack in talks with the United States and several other countries and had called for similar attacks not to be repeated.
Syria seeks a resumption of negotiations
Shaibani said that despite the attack, Syria remained committed to reaching an agreement with Israel to reduce tensions along the border. The minister said responsibility for easing tensions could not rest with only one side and that Israel needed to reassess its policy toward Syria.
Shaibani said the two countries had held U.S.-mediated negotiations for a year on a security agreement and that the sides had made significant progress toward a formula on paper. The minister argued that Israel later backtracked on its commitments and that the agreed formula was not implemented on the ground.
Shaibani said Syria had taken into account a significant portion of Israel’s security concerns during the negotiations, but stressed that security could not be one-sided. The minister said the talks could resume if there were genuine political will and that the two sides could reach agreements addressing their security concerns, Syria’s sovereignty and regional tensions together.
