On the night of Tuesday, August 18, Israeli aircraft carried out eight strikes on the runway of the Abu al-Duhur military airfield in the eastern part of Idlib province, a Syrian military source said. According to the source, the facility’s infrastructure was damaged, but there were no deaths or injuries. Syrian media described the attack as the first on the airfield since the fall of the former regime.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the operation as “unjustified aggression” and a gross violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The ministry said that Israeli attacks had continued since December 8, 2024, despite Damascus’s efforts to avoid escalation. Syria called on the international community and the UN Security Council to condemn the strikes and demand that Israel comply with international law.
US Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack expressed deep concern and described the attack as an unnecessary escalation that did not contribute to regional stability. He stressed that the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa did not take a hostile position toward Israel and had repeatedly called for tensions to be reduced. Barrack said Washington would continue arranging diplomatic contacts between the parties.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and Egypt also condemned the strikes. These countries demanded an end to the violations, accountability for Israel and respect for Syria’s sovereignty. Turkey said the attacks were damaging Syrian infrastructure and military capabilities. According to Al Jazeera, the aircraft entered Syrian airspace through Lebanon and attacked the airfield located between Aleppo and Idlib provinces.
Abu al-Duhur was heavily damaged during the war, captured by the opposition in 2015 and returned to the control of the former Syrian army in 2019, but it never resumed operations. Analysts believe the latest strike could be a signal to Turkey, as the airfield lies within its traditional sphere of influence, as well as an attempt to prevent the restoration of Syria’s air force. In recent years, Israel has regularly struck military facilities, weapons depots and airfields in Syria, particularly since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
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Why did Abu al-Duhur airfield fail to resume operations despite being returned to the control of the Syrian army in 2019, and what significance could it have for restoring Syria’s air force? — Returning the airfield to army control did not automatically mean that it would be restored. The facility likely requires demining, runway repairs, and the restoration of power supplies, navigation, communications, hangars and air-defense systems. Its operation is also complicated by the proximity of unstable areas of Idlib and a shortage of operational aircraft, fuel, spare parts and trained personnel. In the future, Abu al-Duhur could become a reserve airbase and a key facility for rebuilding the Syrian air force, but its importance will depend on security, funding and outside support.
What does “Turkey’s traditional sphere of influence” mean in the area between Aleppo and Idlib, and why could a strike on a facility in this area be viewed as a signal to Ankara? — This is not necessarily territory officially recognized as belonging to Turkey, but rather an area where Ankara retains significant political, military and economic influence through its armed forces, allied Syrian groups, border structures and humanitarian ties. A strike on a facility there could therefore be perceived not only as an operation against a specific target, but also as a demonstration of readiness to operate in an area Turkey considers strategically important. Such a move could warn Ankara, test its response or increase pressure on it, although by itself it does not prove an intention to begin a direct confrontation.
How have the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and the arrival of Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government changed Syria’s relations with Israel, Turkey and the United States? — The transfer of power has altered the diplomatic configuration but has not eliminated the main contradictions. Israel is likely viewing the new situation primarily through the lens of security: preventing hostile armed groups from gaining strength, controlling border areas and protecting the Golan Heights. The risks of clashes and mutual distrust remain. For Turkey, the new government may be a more acceptable partner, particularly on security, refugee returns and control over northern Syria, although disputes over influence and Kurdish forces remain. The United States may shift from a policy of pressure on the former regime to conditional engagement with the new leadership. Support will depend on counterterrorism efforts, the protection of minorities, the creation of inclusive institutions and relations with US partners in northeastern Syria.
Full version: Targeting Abu al-Duhur Airport: Syria Accuses Israel, US Envoy Calls It Unjustified Escalation