RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned Israeli occupation forces’ airstrikes targeting Abu al-Duhur Military Airport in Syria’s Idlib Governorate.
The Foreign Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, described the airstrikes as a flagrant violation of international law and of the sovereignty of Syria.
“The Kingdom stresses its rejection of this blatant act of aggression and renews its call on the international community to put an end to Israel’s violations of international laws and norms,” the Saudi Foriegn Ministry said in a statement.
#بيان | تعرب وزارة الخارجية عن إدانة المملكة العربية السعودية بأشد العبارات للغارات التي شنتها قوات الاحتلال الإسرائيلية، واستهدفت مطار أبوالظهور العسكري في محافظة إدلب السورية، في انتهاك صارخ للقانون الدولي ولسيادة الجمهورية العربية السورية. pic.twitter.com/D3f5csRLpA
— وزارة الخارجية 🇸🇦 (@KSAMOFA) August 18, 2026
Saudi Arabia also reaffirmed its solidarity with Syria and its support for all efforts aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty, preserving the integrity and unity of its territory, and achieving security and stability for the brotherly Syrian people.
Israeli airstrikes hit Syrian airbase
Earlier, eight Israeli airstrikes hit the runway and storage facilities at Abu al-Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria, causing material damage, Syrian state media reported, as the US envoy for Syria and Iraq described the attack as an “unnecessary escalation”.
Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya, citing a military source, said the strikes targeted the runway and storage facilities at the airbase.
US Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack said the United States was “deeply concerned” about the strikes.
“We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability,” Barrack said on X.
We are deeply concerned that the confirmed Israeli airstrikes on Abu al-Duhur Airbase constitute an unnecessary escalation that does not advance regional stability.
The Al-Sharra government has neither adopted a predatory posture nor maintained proxy forces. It has, in fact,…
— Ambassador Tom Barrack (@USAMBTurkiye) August 18, 2026
“The United States continues to believe that restraint and engagement offer the more constructive course,” he added, urging all sides to prioritise dialogue over further military incidents.
Syria condemns Israeli strikes
Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack, describing the targeting of the airbase as “unjustified” and calling on the international community and the UN Security Council to condemn what it described as repeated Israeli violations.
Also Read: Israeli Airstrikes Hit Syrian Airbase, US Envoy Concerned over Escalation
A security source told AFP that unidentified aircraft had struck the facility, where Syrian Defence Ministry forces are present.
The strikes came shortly after a Turkish military delegation visited the airbase as part of preliminary efforts to rehabilitate its runways, according to sources cited by The New Arab.
Statement Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates of the Syrian Arab Republic pic.twitter.com/K8r58jWEAu
— وزارة الخارجية والمغتربين السورية (@syrianmofaex) August 18, 2026
The timing has added to growing tensions between Israel and Turkiye over Ankara’s expanding role in rebuilding Syria’s military and state institutions following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.
Turkiye has been helping train Syria’s new army and has provided support for rebuilding state institutions and infrastructure.
The base, about 70 kilometres from the Turkish border, has been out of service as a dedicated military airfield since 2013.
