Kathmandu— The United States has condemned recent Israeli airstrikes on an airbase in northwestern Syria, deeming the action an unnecessary escalation that undermines regional stability. The strikes targeted Abu al-Duhur base in Idlib province on Tuesday, damaging runways but causing no reported casualties. Israel justified the attack by alleging a potential security threat from Turkish troop deployments at the site, claims denied by both Syria and Türkiye.

Israeli Justification for Strikes

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the strikes were a response to an agreement between Israel and Syria regarding security matters. They claimed Damascus was allowing Turkish troops to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo, which Israel considered a threat to its security. According to the statement, Israel had repeatedly warned Syria against such a deployment, but those warnings were ignored.

Conflicting Accounts from Regional Actors

Both Syrian and Turkish officials have refuted Israel’s claims regarding troop deployments. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani told Axios that Damascus has “no intention” of establishing a Turkish base or allowing a permanent military presence at the airbase. The Turkish Foreign Ministry echoed this denial, accusing Israel of using “frivolous allegations” to justify its attacks on Syria.

US Concerns and Calls for De-escalation

US Ambassador to Türkiye Tom Barrack, who also serves as President Donald Trump’s envoy to Syria and Iraq, expressed concern over the strikes. Barrack stated that the action “constitute[d] an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.” He further asserted that the Syrian government had demonstrated a commitment to de-escalation with Israel and had not engaged in aggressive behavior or supported proxy forces. Barrack urged all parties involved to prioritize dialogue over military action, posting on X that he encouraged “logical discourse over further military incidents.”

Broader Regional Tensions

The strikes occur amid already heightened tensions between Israel and Türkiye, with Prime Minister Netanyahu repeatedly clashing with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza. Additionally, relations between Israel and the US have been strained recently, as Netanyahu rejected Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, insisting Israeli troops would not withdraw until Hamas fully disarms. Trump has also condemned previous Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon and recently suspended negotiations with Iran, announcing a campaign to damage its economy.

Netanyahu defended the airstrikes on Wednesday, stating that Israel ensured Syria understood the message it intended to convey. The situation remains tense as regional actors continue to navigate complex security concerns.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.