Israeli strike puts Türkiye-Syria defense ties in focus

ANKARA

Israel’s latest strike on a Syrian airbase near Türkiye has drawn renewed attention to defense cooperation between Ankara and Damascus, which includes training and support for the restructuring of Syria’s armed forces.

Israeli aircraft struck the runways and hangars of the Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria on Aug. 18.

The facility lies about 70 kilometers from the Turkish border. No casualties were reported.

Israel said the attack was intended to prevent Turkish troops from deploying at the base, alleging that Syria was close to breaching an agreed security status quo. Both Ankara and Damascus rejected the claim.

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said the airbase was being rehabilitated for use by the Syrian Air Force and that no Turkish base or permanent deployment was planned.

He acknowledged that Turkish military officers had visited the facility several days before the strike but said the visit was part of ongoing cooperation on training and the exchange of expertise.

Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said no Turkish military delegation was present at the base during the attack.

It also said Ankara would continue supporting Syria’s efforts to rebuild its infrastructure and military capacity under the principle of “one state, one army.”

Türkiye and Syria signed a memorandum on joint military training and consultancy on Aug. 13, 2025.

Turkish officials have said its implementation covers training, consultancy, technical assistance and reciprocal visits aimed at strengthening Syria’s defense capacity.

Ankara appointed a defense attaché to its embassy in Damascus earlier that year and has supported efforts to bring armed factions under a single national command.

Türkiye says its assistance is provided at the request of the Syrian government and is intended to reinforce the country’s unity, territorial integrity and ability to combat terrorism.

Israel has repeatedly opposed the establishment of Turkish bases or air-defense systems in Syria, arguing that they could threaten its security and restrict its freedom of military action.

In the spring of 2025, Israel struck facilities at the T4, Palmyra and Hama airbases after reports that Turkish teams had assessed some of the sites.

The attacks prompted Turkish and Israeli officials to hold technical talks in Azerbaijan on establishing a channel to prevent unintended clashes.

Israel has carried out hundreds of attacks on Syrian military sites since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024.

The Israeli military said its initial campaign included more than 350 airstrikes on airfields, air-defense systems, weapons facilities and other military assets.

Following the latest strike, U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Washington was working to establish a deconfliction mechanism involving Türkiye, Syria and Israel to prevent further miscommunication.