Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani stated in an interview with Axios on August 19, 2026, that Israel's recent airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur airbase was unjustified. Al-Shaibani clarified that Syria was not collaborating with Turkey to establish a military presence at the airbase, despite Israel's claims. The airstrike, which occurred early Tuesday morning, involved at least eight bombs targeting runways and hangars at the site, located approximately 45 miles from the Turkish border. No casualties were reported from the attack.
Al-Shaibani emphasized that the work at the airbase was focused on rehabilitation for the Syrian Air Force and did not involve any Turkish military buildup. He acknowledged that Turkish military officers had visited the base prior to the strike but described it as part of ongoing military cooperation rather than an indication of a permanent presence.
In response to the airstrike, Al-Shaibani indicated that Syria had communicated with the Trump administration to express its concerns and to seek de-escalation in the region. He stated that Syria remains open to negotiations with Israel to address security concerns but stressed that both sides must reassess their military policies to achieve stability.