Israeli Air Strikes Target Strategic Airbase Runway in Syria’s Idlib

A series of eight Israeli aerial strikes targeted the Abu al-Duhur military airfield in Syria’s northwestern Idlib governorate early Tuesday, causing physical destruction to the facility’s runway without resulting in any reported casualties.

Syrian official media, citing an unidentified military source, attributed the bombardment to Israeli aircraft, stating that the assault took place in the early morning hours in the eastern countryside of the province. The Israeli military has not issued any public response regarding the incident.

The bombardment marks the first reported strike on the Abu al-Duhur facility following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s administration in December 2024. The airbase, situated approximately 27 kilometers east of Saraqeb, sustained severe damage over fourteen years of domestic conflict and had been out of operational service for an extended duration.

Command of the installation shifted multiple times throughout the Syrian war. Non-state opposition factions initially secured the base in 2015 following heavy clashes with pro-government forces. Units loyal to the former Assad government regained control in 2019, though the site remained largely non-functional due to extensive damage inflicted on its infrastructure.

The incident reflects a broader pattern of ongoing operations directed at degrading Syrian armed infrastructure. Following the flight of Assad from the country, military actions targeting air defense assets, weapon stockpiles, and strategic installations expanded significantly, virtually neutralizing Syria’s pre-existing military aviation fleet. In recent months, efforts have been underway within the country to re-establish fundamental military aviation capacity.