1 week ago
US Envoy Says Israel Struck Syria Base Without Warning
A US diplomat said Israel attacked a military base in Syria without telling the United States first.
He said this could make the situation more dangerous.
He also suggested the attack might have been meant to provoke Turkey.
Turkey has an important role in parts of Syria.
Israel disagreed and said it had shared intelligence with authorized American officials.
Israel’s defence minister called the diplomat’s comments inaccurate.
Israel and Turkey have recently exchanged warnings over their activities in Syria.
The United States is trying to help Israel and Syria avoid a larger conflict.
Tom Barrack accused Israel of conducting strikes on Syria’s Abu Duhur military base without warning.
Barrack called the strikes an unnecessary escalation that could have triggered a clash with Turkey.
He suggested the attacks may have been intended to bait Turkey, which has influence in northern Syria.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said intelligence was shared with authorized US parties before Tuesday’s strike.
The dispute comes amid heightened Israel-Turkey tensions and US efforts to reduce conflict between Israel and Syria.
- Who
- US envoy Tom Barrack, Israeli officials including Defence Minister Israel Katz, and the governments of Israel, Syria, Turkey, and the United States.
- What
- A dispute arose over whether Israel warned the United States before striking the Abu Duhur military base in Syria.
- Where
- The reported strike targeted the Abu Duhur military base in northern Syria.
- When
- The strike occurred on Tuesday; Barrack criticized it on Friday, and Israel Katz responded on Saturday.
- Why
- Barrack said the attack was an unnecessary escalation that might have been intended to bait Turkey; Israel said prior intelligence had been shared with authorized US parties.
Barrack’s account
Israeli officials’ account
Whether the United States received advance notice
Barrack’s account
Tom Barrack said Israel carried out the strikes without offering any warning.
Israeli officials’ account
Israel Katz said Israel had shared intelligence information with authorized parties in the United States before the strike.
Effect of the strike
Barrack’s account
Barrack described the action as an unnecessary escalation that could have triggered a clash with Turkey.
Israeli officials’ account
Katz rejected Barrack’s comments as inaccurate and said they contradicted the position of US President Donald Trump.
Possible motive
Barrack’s account
Barrack suggested the attacks may have been aimed at baiting Turkey, which has substantial regional influence.
Israeli officials’ account
Israeli officials angrily denounced the claim; the articles do not provide a stated Israeli explanation of the strike’s motive.
Key facts
- Target
- Abu Duhur military base in northern Syria
- US envoy
- Tom Barrack, the US ambassador to Turkey and special envoy to Syria
- Israeli response
- Defence Minister Israel Katz said intelligence was shared with authorized parties in the United States before the strike
- Reported strike date
- Tuesday
- Barrack’s assessment
- He called the strikes an unnecessary escalation and warned they could have triggered a clash with Turkey
- Regional context
- Israel and Turkey have increasingly portrayed each other as regional rivals over their activities in Syria
- US efforts
- The United States has attempted to broker talks between Israel and Syria to de-escalate tensions
Sources
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