Israel Bombs Syria as US Envoy Warns Attack May Have Been Aimed at Provoking Türkiye

Israel launched a drone strike on a vehicle in southern Syria, wounding several people, as a senior US envoy suggested an earlier Israeli attack on a Syrian airbase may have been intended to provoke Türkiye.

Syrian authorities strongly condemned the latest strike near Beit Jinn, describing it as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law. Israel confirmed the attack but said it targeted a person allegedly preparing an imminent attack against Israeli forces.

The strike comes amid growing tensions involving Israel, Syria and Türkiye. Days earlier, Israel attacked the Abu al-Duhur airbase in Syria’s Idlib province, claiming Türkiye was seeking to establish a military presence there. Both Damascus and Ankara denied the allegation.

US Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack said the Abu al-Duhur attack may have been intended to “bait” Türkiye into a confrontation. He also said Israel had not informed Washington before carrying out the strike. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz rejected Barrack’s comments as inaccurate.

Analysts say Israel increasingly views southern Syria as part of its security zone and may be using military pressure to influence negotiations with Damascus. Syria, meanwhile, says it remains committed to de-escalation and is pursuing a security arrangement with Israel through US mediation.

Qatar also condemned the Israeli strike, calling it an unacceptable violation of Syria’s sovereignty and warning that continued Israeli attacks across the region risk further escalation.