Israel strikes Syrian base, Turkey and US react

In mid-August 2026, Israel carried out airstrikes on a Syrian airbase, drawing sharp criticism from Turkey and Pakistan. Turkish officials called Israel's justifications "untenable" and firmly rejected claims that Turkey was building up military forces in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had warned Turkey before the strike, while Syria's foreign minister reportedly said Israel had been informed that Turkey was not establishing forces at the base.

The United States condemned the strikes as an "escalation," and analysts noted that Netanyahu hopes his warning will deter Turkish military expansion in Syria. A source told i24NEWS that the more Israel threatens Syria, the more Syria will align itself with Turkey.