Israeli strikes hit Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria
Eight Israeli airstrikes targeted the runway and storage facilities at Abu al-Duhur military airbase, with no casualties reported.
Abu al-Duhur, Syria. Eight Israeli airstrikes hit the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria early on Tuesday, targeting its runway and storage facilities, Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya reported, citing a military source. No casualties were reported.
Base targeted
The Israeli military declined to comment on the strikes, while Syria’s defence ministry did not respond.
A military source and a civilian living near the base said there were no casualties.
The base is located about 70 kilometres from the Turkish border. It has not operated as a dedicated military airfield since 2013 and changed hands several times during Syria’s 14-year civil war between forces loyal to former President Bashar al-Assad and opposition factions.
Since Assad was ousted in late 2024, the base has been used as a training centre for Syria’s new army, according to the military source.
Regional tensions
The strikes occurred amid heightened security tensions and increasingly sharp rhetoric between Israel and Turkey over Syria.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said in an August 6 speech that Israel continued to threaten Syria’s security through repeated attacks and called for pressure on Israel to respect Syria’s territorial integrity.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has issued direct warnings to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, saying Israel would not allow steps that strengthened Syria’s military capabilities in ways that could pose a threat to Israel.
Air force activity
Syria conducted air exercises in the north of the country in early August using Russian-made MiG-21 fighter jets, its first such exercises since Assad’s ouster.
On August 11, Israel’s Kan public broadcaster reported that Israeli security officials had identified signs that Syria was accelerating efforts to rebuild its air force, including recruiting new pilots, conducting flight training and holding an initial exercise involving fighter aircraft.
Kan quoted an Israeli security source as saying Israel was closely monitoring the developments and had shared its concerns with the United States.
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