Israel launched airstrikes on a shuttered air base in northwest Syria near the Turkish border on Tuesday. The attack followed a recent visit by a Turkish delegation and occurred as negotiations over a security agreement with Syria's new leadership remain at a standstill.
Israel stated the strike aimed to prevent Turkish troops from deploying to the base, which they claimed would breach an agreed-upon status quo in security matters. The Israeli prime minister asserted that Turkish military entrenchment moving southward threatens Israel and will not be tolerated, though he stopped short of claiming responsibility for the strike. Israel further targeted the military site to prevent Syria from rebuilding its air force with Turkey's help, accusing President Erdogan of dragging his country into dangerous adventures.
Turkey firmly rejected Israel's claims, calling the allegations regarding its military position untenable. Turkey maintained that it will continue to support Syria's sovereignty, noting its close ties and military assistance to the Syrian government. Meanwhile, Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria and Iraq, described the strikes as an unnecessary escalation.