Turkey Denounces Netanyahu Over Israeli Airstrikes on Syrian Base, Citing Regional Destabilization

Turkey’s government issued a sharp rebuke of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week, contending that his administration is engaged in “expansionist and destabilizing policies” following an Israeli military operation against a Syrian airbase. Netanyahu’s office acknowledged responsibility for the Tuesday morning strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase Wednesday, asserting that Syria had nearly violated an existing security accord by permitting Turkish military forces to operate from the facility located near Aleppo.

Israeli officials justified the operation by stating they had repeatedly cautioned Syria that allowing such a Turkish deployment would jeopardize Israeli security interests. “Israel will not tolerate threats to its security, and would welcome a return to the status quo,” Netanyahu’s office declared. The strike produced structural damage but resulted in no reported casualties at the installation.

Ankara rejected Israel’s justifications as “untenable” and charged that the airstrikes were designed to circumvent international law and violate Syrian territorial integrity. Turkey’s government contended that Netanyahu’s actions reflect an election-year strategy to advance aggressive regional ambitions rather than genuine security concerns. The Turkish statement emphasized commitment to working with Syria’s government to foster stability while resisting any destabilization efforts in the country.

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack, who also serves as special envoy for Syria, expressed concern about the military operation. Barrack stated the strikes constituted an unnecessary escalation that undermines regional stability, noting that Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa has demonstrated restraint and preference for de-escalation. He indicated efforts to establish a deconfliction mechanism involving Israel, Turkey, and Syria to reduce tensions.

Al-Sharaa, who led rebel forces to overthrow Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 before assuming Syria’s presidency in January 2025, has received backing from the Trump administration, which lifted broad sanctions on Syria in late June. Since al-Assad’s fall, Israel has conducted repeated military strikes aimed at preventing Syria’s military modernization near its border, with Netanyahu reiterating in July his insistence that regions south of Damascus remain demilitarized.