Syria says Israel struck military airport; US envoy pans Israel's 'unnecessary escalation'

Key Points:

• Unidentified fighter jets targeted the runway of Abu Duhur military airport in northwestern Syria overnight Monday, with Damascus blaming Israel for the airstrike and reporting material damage but no casualties.
• Syria condemned the attack as an unjustified act of aggression and called on the UN Security Council to respond, while the US criticized the airstrikes as an unnecessary escalation that undermines regional stability.
• The airbase, near Idlib and close to the Turkish border, has been used as a training center for Syria’s new army since Assad's ouster in late 2024 and was reportedly visited recently by a Turkish military delegation.
• Israeli officials have expressed concerns over Syria’s efforts to rebuild its air force, including pilot recruitment and flight training, and have carried out previous strikes to prevent Turkish influence and military buildup in Syria.
• If confirmed, this would be Israel's first airstrike in Syria since March, continuing its operations aimed at preventing weapons from reaching hostile forces and limiting Turkish entrenchment in the region.