Airstrikes Hit Abu al-Duhur Airbase
The Abu al-Duhur military base, situated in the eastern countryside of Idlib in northwestern Syria, was reportedly subjected to eight airstrikes on an early Tuesday morning. Syrian state media indicated that the attacks resulted in damage to the facility but no casualties. This incident marks the first reported assault on the airbase since the dissolution of Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024.
International Reactions and Accusations
Syria, the United States, and Jordan have each issued statements accusing Israel of being responsible for the airstrikes. There has been no immediate comment from Israel regarding these allegations.
United States Expresses Concern
Ambassador Tom Barrack, the US special envoy for Syria and Iraq, voiced deep concern over the attack, characterizing the Israeli airstrikes as an "unnecessary escalation" that does not contribute to regional stability. In a statement disseminated via X, Barrack emphasized that Washington is urging all involved parties to prioritize "logical discourse" over further military confrontations.
Syria Condemns Aggression
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates issued a strong condemnation of the Israeli airstrikes targeting the Abu al-Duhur military airport. The ministry reiterated Syria's commitment to defending its rights and national interests through legitimate means, in accordance with international laws and norms.
Jordan Calls for International Action
Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates also condemned the airstrikes, attributing responsibility to Israel. The ministry described the strikes as an "unjustified act of aggression," a flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a clear breach of international law and the UN Charter. Jordan called upon the international community to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities by compelling Israel to cease its provocative and unlawful attacks on Syria and to end its occupation of Syrian territory.
Context of the Attack
Reporting from Damascus, Sohaib al-Khalaf, an Al Jazeera correspondent, noted that the nature of the recent attack aligns with previous Israeli military operations targeting Syrian sites. These past operations have often aimed to diminish the Syrian military's capabilities.
History of Abu al-Duhur Airbase
The Abu al-Duhur airbase has experienced significant destruction over the 14 years of the Syrian conflict. In 2015, opposition forces seized control of the base following clashes with government troops. However, forces loyal to al-Assad recaptured it in 2019. Despite its recapture, the base remained largely non-operational due to the extensive damage it sustained throughout the war.
Escalation Post-Assad Regime
Heidi Pett, reporting for Al Jazeera from Saraqeb, approximately 30 kilometers northwest of Abu al-Duhur, highlighted an increase in Israeli attacks on Syrian military installations since al-Assad's departure from the country. She explained that there has been a continuous Israeli campaign to degrade Syrian military capabilities, a campaign that began under the Assad regime but rapidly intensified following its collapse. Pett added that Israel systematically targeted the Syrian air force, effectively rendering it largely inoperable, and that efforts have been underway for the past year and a half to rebuild some of this air capacity.
The current situation underscores ongoing tensions and military activities in the region, with various international actors expressing differing perspectives and concerns regarding the implications for stability and adherence to international law.
