Turkey dismisses Israeli strike on Syria, denies military presence

Turkey's presidency declared it would not fall into a "trap" set by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel conducted an airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria's Idlib province. Burhanettin Duran, Director of Communications for the Turkish presidency, asserted that Turkey is experienced enough not to be ensnared by individuals like Netanyahu, whom he accused of seeking to undermine regional peace and stability.

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We are experienced enough not to fall into the trap of people like Netanyahu, who seek to undermine peace and stability in our region.

Furthermore, Turkey vehemently denied any Turkish military presence at the targeted Syrian airbase. Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, a spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense, stated unequivocally that no Turkish military delegation was present at Abu al-Duhur before or during the Israeli attack. He added that Turkey would continue to resolutely protect Syria's integrity and sovereignty, characterizing the strikes as an attempt to damage Syria's stability, security, unity, and integrity.

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We declare that there was no Turkish military delegation at the Abu al-Duhur airbase before or during the attack carried out by Israel against this base in Syria.

Earlier, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz suggested that Turkish President Erdoğan was leading Turkey into "dangerous adventures in Syria." Israel justified its strike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase, which has been non-operational since 2012 after sustaining heavy damage during the Syrian civil war, by citing the presence of Turkish military forces as a threat. Netanyahu stated the attack sent a "clear" message to Turkey against establishing military bases in Syria.

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We will continue with determination our efforts to protect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria.

The airstrike, which was condemned by the United States, has heightened regional tensions. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based NGO with extensive sources in Syria, a Turkish military delegation had recently visited the airbase as part of efforts to potentially reopen it. This visit, if confirmed, adds another layer of complexity to the situation.

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Erdogan is dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria.