No Turkish military delegation at Syrian base during Israeli strike: Ministry

KOCAELİ

Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said on Aug. 20 that no Turkish military delegation was present at Syria’s Abu Duhur air base before or during this week’s Israeli strikes.

The statement came in response to reporters’ questions after the ministry’s weekly briefing, delivered by spokesperson Rear Adm. Zeki Aktürk aboard TCG Koçhisar in Kocaeli.

The ministry described the strike as an action aimed at damaging Syria’s stability, security, unity, territorial integrity and infrastructure.

It said attacks violating Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity were unacceptable and called on Israel to end such operations and comply with international law.

Türkiye will continue to support Syria in rebuilding its infrastructure and military capacity under the “single army” principle, the ministry added.

Syrian state television said eight Israeli strikes hit the base’s runway early on Aug. 18, causing damage but no casualties.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the attack was intended to prevent Turkish troops from deploying at the facility, alleging that Syria was close to breaching an agreed security arrangement.

Two Syrian officials told The Associated Press that a Turkish delegation had visited the base the previous day to inspect rehabilitation work.

They did not identify it as a military delegation.