Israel and Turkey Trade Accusations of Expansionism in Syria Following Strategic Airbase Strike

Tensions reached a high point between Israel and Turkey, two key US allies in the Middle East, as both nations accused each other of pursuing expansionist policies in Syria. This sharp escalation came in the wake of an Israeli airstrike targeting the strategically vital Abu Al Duhur airbase in northern Syria, highlighting ongoing geopolitical instability following the removal of Bashar Al Assad in December 2024.

Defence Minister Israel Katz warned that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was drawing Turkey into perilous adventures in Syria, stating that Israel would block any actor from threatening its security. Katz remarked that it would be more appropriate for Erdogan to persist with his detached-from-reality rhetoric in the Turkish Grand National Assembly rather than challenge Israel's resolve to defend itself. These remarks followed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's declaration that Israel would not tolerate a southward push by the Turkish military.

Meanwhile, the Turkish presidency dismissed the Israeli allegations as untenable and designed to justify an unlawful military action, while refusing to rule out future deployments. Ankara stated it would steadfastly continue cooperating with the Syrian government to achieve stabilization. Currently, both Israel and Turkey maintain a presence inside Syria separated by hundreds of kilometres, with Turkish forces positioned in the north and Israeli troops operating in the south near the Golan Heights. Turkey also remains a principal backer of Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara.

The Israeli air raid on Tuesday targeted the airbase located in the Idlib governorate, causing significant damage to the main runway and hangars while resulting in no reported casualties. The facility lies 20 kilometres from Aleppo, a major commercial and industrial hub. According to Axios, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani stated that Syrian authorities had informed Israel prior to the strike that the base was undergoing restoration and would remain under Syrian control, and noted that Turkish officials had visited the site days earlier.

Israeli officials maintained that Turkey intended to utilize the base to expand its military footprint beyond the control zone established during the civil war. In response, the US announced efforts to establish a de-escalation protocol among Turkey, Syria, and Israel. A regional security source noted that the Abu Al Duhur base, featuring an exceptionally long runway capable of handling all aircraft types, would have served as a critical Turkish asset for command and control.