Israel conducts fresh strike in Syria after US criticism

Israel carried out another strike in Syria on Saturday, intensifying a dispute with the United States over its military actions in the war-torn country. The latest strike followed sharp criticism from US envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, who had called an earlier Israeli attack on a disused air base an "unnecessary escalation."

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unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz pushed back against Barrack's comments, labeling them "full of inaccuracies." Katz asserted that Israel had shared intelligence with the US before the Tuesday strike. He also criticized Barrack's remarks about the Golan Heights, which Israel captured from Syria in 1967 and later annexed, a move recognized by the US and Colombia. Barrack's description of the territory as "occupied" contradicted what Katz called the stance of US President Donald Trump.

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full of inaccuracies

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that Turkey, an ally of Syria's new authorities, had intended to establish a military presence at the targeted air base. Ankara denied visiting the site. Netanyahu and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have exchanged sharp words, with Turkey seeking an Interpol notice for Netanyahu over the interception of a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Netanyahu's office called Erdogan an "antisemitic dictator," while Erdogan's office termed the remarks "outrageous ravings."

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full of inaccuracies and positions that contradict the stance of US President (Donald) Trump himself regarding the Golan Heights

Separately, Syrian state television reported that a man was wounded by an "Israeli occupation drone" targeting a vehicle near the Golan Heights. Israel's military acknowledged firing toward a "terrorist" preparing attacks. Since the December 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes within Syria and deployed troops into a UN-patrolled buffer zone.

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flagrant violation