Turkey denies Israeli claims, says no troops were at Syrian airbase struck by IDF

Jerusalem Post/Middle EastTurkey's defense ministry: Israel’s military interventions against neighboring countries must not be accepted • Israel insists Ankara, Damascus were 'on verge' of breaking status quoFollow us on GoogleAbu al-Duhur base is seen following reported Israeli strikes, Syria, August 18, 2026(photo credit: REUTERS/STRINGER)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, REUTERSAUGUST 20, 2026 12:15Updated: AUGUST 20, 2026 12:43Turkey's defense ministry denied on Thursday that Turkish troops were present at the Syrian airbase struck by Israel, while warning that Israel’s military interventions against neighboring countries must not be allowed to become "routine" or accepted.The ministry stressed that it was "essential" for the international community to "take more concrete and effective measures against Israel's actions that threaten regional peace and stability."Netanyahu: Syria allowed Turkish troops to deploy at airbasePrime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed late on Wednesday that the Israeli Air Force struck a Syrian airbase in northwestern Syria, arguing that Damascus was "on the verge" of breaching a status quo reached between the two nations.According to Netanyahu, Syria had allowed Turkish troops to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo, prompting the Israeli airstrike targeting the Abu al-Duhur military airfield in Syria's Idlib province.Turkish Air Force fighter jets perform a military parade over the Bosphorus as Camlica mosque is seen in the background to mark the 100th anniversary of Turkish Republic in Istanbul, October 29,2023 (credit: OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images)"Israel repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would pose a threat to Israel's security. Syria chose to ignore these warnings," the prime minister's post read. "Israel will not tolerate threats to its security, and would welcome a return to the status quo."A source familiar with the details also told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday that Israel recently provided the US with intelligence on attempts by Syria to build up its military capabilities.Earlier on Thursday, Defense Minister Israel Katz also warned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan not to test Israel's determination to defend itself, accusing the Turkish leader of dragging his country into "dangerous adventures" in Syria."Erdogan is dragging Turkey into dangerous adventures in Syria. Israel will not allow any actor to threaten its security. Erdogan would be better off continuing to deliver empty, fantastical speeches against Israel in the Turkish parliament rather than testing Israel's determination to defend itself," Katz wrote on X/Twitter.Amichai Stein contributed to this report.Follow us on Google