Turkey says it will not fall into Israeli 'trap' in Syria, denies military presence in air base

Turkey “will not fall into the trap” set by Israel, the country’s presidency said in a statement, days after Tel Aviv struck the Abu al-Duhur air base located near Aleppo.

"We are experienced enough not to fall into the trap of figures like (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu, who aim to undermine peace and stability in our region," said Burhanettin Duran, the Turkish presidency's director of communications.

After the site was struck, causing damage to its runways, reports said that a Turkish delegation had been at the site just hours earlier, but Turkey has denied a military visit to the location.

Israeli media said a Turkish military delegation had been at the site, and a Syrian monitor said the delegation was there as part of efforts to rehabilitate the base.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Turkish forces had recently toured the base, warning that Israel would not tolerate a "threat" from a Turkish presence there.

"We will not tolerate a Turkish military entrenchment moving southward, because it threatens us," Netanyahu told an army radio podcast.

The premier's office also said on Tuesday evening that Israel had repeatedly warned Syria that deploying Turkish forces at an airbase near Aleppo would pose a threat to its national security, noting that Damascus had ignored the warnings.

The office stated that Israel and Syria had agreed to maintain the status quo on security matters, claiming that Damascus was on the verge of violating this understanding by allowing the Turkish military deployment.

But Turkish defence ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk said the strikes were "unacceptable" and that Ankara would act "resolutely" to protect Syria's efforts to establish post-war stability.

"Israel's attack on the Abu al-Zuhur air base is aimed at harming Syria's stability, security, unity, integrity and infrastructure. Attacks violating Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity are unacceptable," he told journalists.

"In this context, our efforts and contributions to protect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and help it establish a stable and secure environment, will continue resolutely."

Turkey’s presidency has also clarified that it is not considering retaliation.

Duran said that Netanyahu was "clinging to this irrational stance due to upcoming elections, internal political tensions, and fears. He views hostility toward Turkey as a political lifeline".

The development comes as Syria’s new transitional government has condemned the Israeli strikes, which marked the first time the location was targeted since the fall of the Assad regime.

The US has also rebuked the strikes, with  US special envoy to Syria Tom Barrack describing the attack as an "unnecessary escalation" that did not serve regional stability.

Barrack pointed to the approach taken by the government of Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, saying Damascus "has not adopted a hostile posture nor maintained proxy forces, but has repeatedly demonstrated a preference for de-escalation with Israel".

He also emphasised Washington's efforts to reduce tensions between the two countries.

Barrack called on all sides to prioritise "reasoned dialogue" over further military incidents.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has stepped up its raids and incursions into Syria, while targeting much of the country's remaining military infrastructure.

Israeli attacks have struck Syrian air-defence systems, long- and medium-range missiles, weapons and missile depots, scientific research centres and other military facilities.

Israeli strikes have also hit several key Syrian airfields and military installations, including Hama airport, as well as Tiyas, Shayrat, Palmyra, Dumayr and Mezzeh airfields.

Agencies contributed to this report.