Turkey Refutes Claims of Military Presence at Syria's Attacked Air Base
By Editor • August 20, 2026 • 1 min read
In a firm response to recent allegations, Turkey has denied the presence of its military personnel at the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria, which was struck by Israeli forces earlier this week. The Turkish Defense Ministry emphasized its commitment to Syrian sovereignty, asserting that there were no Turkish delegations present at the airbase either before or during the Israeli attack.
This denial follows accusations from Syria that Israel targeted the disused military facility near Aleppo, which has been inactive since civil conflict erupted in 2012. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggested that Turkish military visits to the base posed a threat to Israel, leading to heightened tensions.
Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk, a spokesperson for the Turkish Defense Ministry, condemned the Israeli strikes, labeling them as an attempt to destabilize Syria. He reiterated Turkey's resolve to support Syria in achieving stability and maintaining its territorial integrity.
Adding to the dialogue, Burhanettin Duran, communications director for the Turkish presidency, dismissed Netanyahu's claims as politically motivated, attributing them to his domestic challenges. He criticized Netanyahu's approach as detrimental to peace efforts in the region.
Source: www.thehindu.com
