Washington, DC [US], August 19 : US Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack on Tuesday condemned "confirmed Israeli airstrikes" on Abu al-Duhur Airbase in Syria and called it an "unnecessary escalation," while affirming the US stance of "logical discourse over further military incidents."
In a post on X, the Envoy expressed grave concerns over the airstrikes, noting the de-escalation efforts indicated by the Al-Sharaa government towards conflict with Israel.
"We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability. The Al-Sharra government has neither adopted a predatory posture nor maintained proxy forces. It has, in fact, repeatedly indicated a preference for de-escalation with Israel," Barrack wrote.
Further clarifying the US stance, Barrack highlighted Washington's resolve for "restraint and engagement" over military escalation and regional tensions, calling for "sustained dialogue" and resolution between Israel and Syria.
"The United States has in the past, and will continue in the future, to host discussions to encourage diplomatic cadence over kinetic frustration for both nations. Enduring deescalation agreements are built through sustained dialogues with all concerned nations and principals. The United States continues to believe that restraint and engagement offer the more constructive course. We encourage all parties to prioritize logical discourse over further military incidents," he added.
https://x.com/USAMBTurkiye/status/2089664751584288836?s=20
Earlier in the day, Syria held Israel responsible for the airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Idlib, accusing the Jewish state of violating Syria's sovereignty and attempting to undermine the efforts to avoid escalation of conflict in the region.
Four air strikes hit the Abu al-Zuhour military airport in the eastern countryside of Idlib province in northern Syria, in the first such attack on the facility since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, Al Jazeera reported.
In an official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Damascus described the strikes as a "flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity" and a dangerous escalation.
The ministry highlighted that Syrian authorities have exercised restraint and worked to consolidate national stability, warning that ongoing military operations by Israeli forces risk undermining these efforts.
"The continuation of these Israeli attacks since 8 December 2024, at a time when the Syrian state has exercised restraint and worked to consolidate its ability and avoid escalation, once again demonstrates the Israeli occupation's attempts to undermine these efforts and drag the region towards further tension and instability," the Foreign Ministry stated.
Holding the Israeli government fully responsible for the escalation, Damascus urged international bodies to step in.
Additionally, Jordan has strongly condemned recent Israeli airstrikes targeting the Abu al-Zuhour Military Airport in Syria's Idlib Governorate, labelling the attack an "unjustified aggression" and a clear violation of international law.
Meanwhile, Qatar also expressed condemnation over the attack and called for accountability from the Israeli forces while demanding firm action from the international community.
"The ministry underscores that if Israel seeks to impose a new reality in its surroundings, then the international community, in turn, must deal firmly with the fact that the Israeli occupation is acting as if it is above the law, in light of international silence and inability to deter it, and must bear its responsibilities in putting an end to its violations," Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote in a statement.
Subsequently, Turkey also called for the international community to "put an end to Israel's aggression against Syria, which is taking on new dimensions, and to ensure accountability for these actions that completely disregard International law."
The condemnation comes after four strikes that targeted the military airport in Syria. The aircraft that carried them out have not been identified, according to Al Jazeera.
Several other airports in Syria have previously been targeted, including Aleppo International Airport, the Nayrab military airport, Al-Shairat Airport in Homs, and the airports at Tiyas and al-Dab'a in central Syria.
However, Abu al-Zuhour had not been targeted since the fall of the al-Assad regime in December 2024.