**Title: Syrian Foreign Minister Denies Plans for Turkish Military Presence at Abu al-Duhur Airbase**
**Date: August 20, 2026**
Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani has firmly stated that there are no plans to establish a Turkish military presence at the Abu al-Duhur airbase, which was recently targeted by Israeli airstrikes. In an interview with Axios, al-Shaibani clarified that while Turkish military officials had visited the site for training and military cooperation purposes, there is no ongoing military buildup or intention to create a permanent base at the facility.
Al-Shaibani emphasized that the airbase, located near Aleppo, is largely empty and reiterated that Syria has no plans to deploy Turkish forces there. "There was no intention to establish a Turkish base there, nor to establish a permanent Turkish military presence or deploy Turkish forces at the site," he stated, adding that he had communicated this position clearly to Israeli officials.
The remarks come in the wake of a series of Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur airbase, which reportedly targeted the runway and storage facilities. This marked Israel's first military action against Syrian government assets since March. While no casualties were reported from the strikes, the attacks have drawn international condemnation and heightened tensions in the region.
Al-Shaibani criticized Israel's actions, asserting that there was no legitimate justification for the airstrikes. He expressed Syria's willingness to engage in negotiations with Israel to address security concerns, but insisted that any future agreements must consider the interests of both nations. He warned that continued Israeli military operations would further destabilize the region.
The situation has escalated tensions between Israel and Turkey, both of which have active military interests in Syria. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Syria, asserting that Israel had communicated its opposition to any Turkish military presence at the airbase. "Our message was very clear. Don’t. I guess they didn’t quite understand the message," Netanyahu remarked.
In response, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of leading Turkey into "dangerous adventures in Syria." Katz emphasized that Israel would not tolerate any threats to its security, suggesting that Erdogan should refrain from making inflammatory remarks against Israel.
Turkey has rejected Israel's allegations regarding its military presence in Syria, with the Turkish defence ministry stating that there was no military delegation at the Abu al-Duhur airbase prior to or during the airstrikes. The ministry called for the international community to take decisive action against Israel's military actions, which it claims threaten regional peace and stability.
As a NATO member, Turkey has positioned itself as a key ally of the Syrian government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The Turkish government has accused Israel of attempting to destabilize Syria and undermine its administration. In recent years, Turkey and Israel have established communication channels to prevent military incidents in Syria, indicating a complex and evolving relationship amidst ongoing regional tensions.
The developments surrounding the Abu al-Duhur airbase reflect the broader geopolitical dynamics at play in Syria, where multiple nations are involved in military operations and diplomatic negotiations. As the situation continues to unfold, the potential for further conflict remains a concern for regional stability.