Israel strikes Syrian Abu al-Duhur airbase, damaging runway, no casualties

Israel carried out eight airstrikes on a Syrian military airbase in the country's northwest early Tuesday, August 18, damaging its runway and storage facilities, according to Syrian state media. The attack on the Abu al-Duhur base in Idlib province drew immediate condemnation from Damascus and regional powers, while the United States described it as an unnecessary escalation.

Syrian state television, citing a military source, reported that Israeli aircraft targeted the runway of the Abu al-Duhur military airport at approximately 2:50 a.m. local time. The strikes caused material damage but no casualties, according to both a military source and a civilian living near the base. The Israeli military declined to comment on the reports.

The attack appears to be Israel's first reported strike on Syrian government assets since March and the first on the Abu al-Duhur base since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government in December 2024. The timing is notable, as sources indicated a Turkish military delegation had visited the site on Monday as part of initial plans to rehabilitate its runways. An Israeli reconnaissance aircraft reportedly flew over the airport later that evening...