U.S. Envoy Blames Israel for Syria Strike: ‘Unnecessary Escalation That Risks Stability’

U.S. Special Envoy for Syria and U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack criticized today (Tuesday) the strike attributed to Israel at the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Syria’s Idlib province. In a post on X, Barrack said he was "deeply concerned by the Israeli attack on the Abu al-Duhur military airport, which is leading to unnecessary escalation."

The American response came after Syrian officials pointed the finger at Israel. A Syrian military official told Syrian television today that Israeli fighter jets had carried out the strikes against the airport. According to the official, the attack damaged a runway and abandoned warehouses, but there were no casualties and the damage was limited to property.

Later, a Syrian military official gave the Al-Araby channel another detail about the timing of the strike: according to the official, it took place just one day after a Turkish military delegation visited the area. Syrian sources said the Turkish delegation’s arrival was connected to plans to rehabilitate the airport and turn it into a joint base for Syrian and Turkish forces.

Syria’s Foreign Ministry also issued an official statement accusing Israel of carrying out the strikes. Officials in Damascus condemned the move, calling it "an unjustified act of aggression and a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity." The ministry added that it was "a dangerous escalation that threatens security and stability in the region."

Washington’s criticism joined the Syrian condemnations. Barrack described the strikes as "an unnecessary escalation that does not contribute to regional stability," and laid out the U.S. administration’s position on the Syrian government’s conduct toward Israel.

According to Barrack, the al-Sharaa government has not taken an aggressive approach, has not deployed proxy forces, and has repeatedly expressed a desire to reduce tensions with Israel. Against that backdrop, the U.S. envoy made clear that the United States would continue working to advance talks between the sides.