Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase, drawing Turkish condemnation

DAMASCUS/ANKARA – Israel bombed an airbase in Syria on Tuesday, Syrian state media said, drawing condemnation from Turkey and criticism from a U.S. envoy who called it an “unnecessary escalation.” Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya television, citing a military source, said Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the runway and storage facilities at the Abu al-Duhur base near Aleppo in northwestern Syria. A separate military source and a civilian who lives near the base said there were no casualties. The attack appeared to be Israel’s first strike on Syrian government assets since March.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry said the attacks violated Syria’s territorial unity and integrity.