19.08.2026 10:41
The Directorate of Communications stated that the Israeli Prime Minister's Office's claims against Türkiye are intended to legitimize Israel's airstrikes on Syria. The statement highlighted Netanyahu's expansionist policies ahead of the elections, while emphasizing that Türkiye stands for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that cooperation with the Syrian government will continue with determination.
On Tuesday, August 18, Israel carried out eight airstrikes on the runway and storage facilities of Abu Duhur airport, located 70 kilometers from Turkey. The attack resulted in no injuries or loss of life, while Israel, claiming that Syria was "on the verge of violating" the security status quo, accused Damascus of "allowing Turkish troops to be stationed at the air base."
FALSE STATEMENT FROM NETANYAHU'S OFFICE
In a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, it was stated, "Israel and Syria agreed on a status quo regarding security matters; Syria was on the verge of violating this status quo by allowing Turkish troops to be stationed at an air base near Aleppo."
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attacks as "an unjust act of aggression that endangers regional security and stability."
STRONG DENIAL FROM THE DIRECTORATE OF COMMUNICATIONS
The Directorate of Communications stated that the allegations put forward by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office against Turkey aim to legitimize Israel's airstrikes targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The statement from the Directorate of Communications is as follows:
"The frivolous allegations put forward by the Israeli Prime Minister's Office aim to legitimize Israel's unlawful airstrikes targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity. These accusations stem from Netanyahu's intention to continue his expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region ahead of the elections in Israel.
Turkey, like the vast majority of the international community, advocates for lasting peace in our region. The only way to achieve this is for Netanyahu to abandon his aggressive and coercive policies and respect international law. Turkey will resolutely continue to cooperate with the Syrian Government on a legitimate basis to establish peace, stability, and prosperity in Syria and will never allow Syria to be destabilized."
THE US HAD ALSO REACTED TO ISRAEL
Tom Barrack, the US Ambassador to Turkey and Donald Trump's special envoy for Syria and Iraq, had reacted to the attacks in a statement posted on social media.
In his message on platform X, Barrack said, "We are deeply concerned that Israel's confirmed airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur Air Base constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not contribute to regional stability."