Turkish delegation visited Syrian air base hours before strikes, officials say

A Turkish delegation had visited an air base in northern Syria the day before it was hit by Israeli airstrikes, Syrian officials say, offering the first confirmation of Israeli claims of a Turkish presence there.

The Israeli strikes hit the Abu Duhur base early Tuesday, hours after the delegation had left, causing damage but no casualties. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement overnight that Israel had attacked the base because Syria was “on the verge of breaching” an agreed-upon “status quo in security matters” by allowing Turkish troops to deploy there.

Two Syrian officials say the Turkish delegation had visited the air base in the northwestern province of Idlib on Monday to review rehabilitation work underway at the facility.

Turkish and Syrian officials have not publicly commented on Turkey’s role there but have condemned the attack, as did the US ambassador to Turkey who also serves as special envoy to Syria, and a number of Arab countries.

Turkish officials have not yet commented on the reported presence of a Turkish military delegation. Turkey’s communications directorate has responded to Netanyahu’s overnight statement by accusing the prime minister of making “untenable allegations… intended to legitimize Israel’s unlawful airstrikes targeting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

It also charges that Netanyahu aims “to pursue expansionist and destabilizing policies in the region ahead of the elections in Israel.”

Turkey “will resolutely continue to cooperate with the Syrian Government on a legitimate basis for the establishment of peace, stability, and prosperity in Syria, and will never allow the destabilization of Syria,” it says.

Turkey has been supporting Syria’s effort to rebuild its armed forces by training Syrian personnel at Turkish military schools and bases, and by supplying equipment and logistical support. Officials have not disclosed the types of equipment involved. The two countries signed an agreement last year that formalized their military cooperation.

Earlier this year, Syrian troops also took part in military exercises held in Turkey.

Israel has remained suspicious of the new authorities in Damascus led by former Islamist insurgents, and sees Turkey as a potentially hostile regional rival.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is an outspoken critic of Israel’s policies toward the Palestinians and has offered support to the Hamas terror group.

Both countries have sought to curb each other from gaining influence in Syria, which neighbors both.