Archive · 23 Aug 2026
Israel Tells US of Alleged Turkish Radar Plans in Syria
Israel says Turkey may put radar and air-defense equipment at a military airport in Syria.
The airport is called Abu al-Duhur and is in northwest Syria.
Israel believes this could change the balance of power in the region.
Israel then carried out airstrikes at the airport on Tuesday.
An Israeli official said the strikes were meant to stop Turkish equipment or troops from arriving there.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel had intelligence that Turkey’s plans could threaten Israel.
Israel also said it warned senior Syrian officials before attacking.
A US envoy said the United States was not told about the attack beforehand.
Israel reportedly told the United States that Turkey was preparing to deploy radar and air-defense assets at a Syrian airbase.
Israeli officials said the alleged deployment could significantly alter the regional balance of power.
Abu al-Duhur military airport in northwest Syria was identified as a possible site, but no deployment timetable was provided.
Israel said its Tuesday airstrikes aimed to prevent Turkish equipment or troops from reaching the airbase.
Israel said it warned senior Syrian officials before the strikes, while US envoy Tom Barrack said Washington was not notified in advance.
- Who
- Israel, Turkey, Syria, the United States, Israel Katz, Tom Barrack, and Benjamin Netanyahu.
- What
- Israel reported a possible Turkish deployment of radar and air-defense assets at a Syrian airbase and said it struck the site to prevent the deployment.
- When
- The airstrikes occurred on Tuesday; Israel’s warning was discussed by Katz on Saturday, and the report was dated August 23.
- Where
- The possible deployment site was Abu al-Duhur military airport in northwest Syria.
- Why
- Israel said the suspected Turkish deployment could endanger its security and significantly alter the regional balance of power.
Israel’s security account
Reported US and unconfirmed position
Nature of Turkey’s alleged plan
Israel’s security account
Israeli officials reportedly said Turkey was preparing to deploy radar and air-defense assets at Abu al-Duhur, potentially changing the regional balance of power.
Reported US and unconfirmed position
The articles provide no public response from Turkey and no confirmation from the United States that the deployment was taking place.
Reason for the strikes
Israel’s security account
Israel said it acted on clear intelligence that Turkey intended to take steps that could endanger Israel, and that the strikes were meant to prevent Turkish personnel or equipment from reaching the base.
Reported US and unconfirmed position
Tom Barrack said the United States was not informed before the attack; the articles do not report that Washington endorsed Israel’s action.
Warnings before the attack
Israel’s security account
Israel said Netanyahu and Katz authorized the strikes only after a direct warning to senior Syrian officials went unanswered.
Reported US and unconfirmed position
The US envoy’s account indicates that Washington did not receive advance notice, despite the potential regional consequences.
- Reported Turkish assets
- A radar system and air-defense assets
- Possible deployment site
- Abu al-Duhur military airport in northwest Syria
- Deployment timetable
- Israel reportedly provided no timetable
- Israeli explanation
- The strikes were intended to prevent Turkish equipment or troops from arriving by air
- Israeli intelligence claim
- Israel Katz said the action followed clear intelligence about Turkey’s intentions
- Prior warning
- Israel said senior Syrian officials received a direct diplomatic warning before the strikes
- US notification
- US Special Envoy Tom Barrack said Israel did not inform Washington in advance
