US envoy calls Israeli strikes on Syrian airbase "unnecessary escalation"

US Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack called Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in Idlib an “unnecessary escalation” that fails to advance regional stability. The strikes hit the base’s runway, causing material damage to infrastructure, though Syrian state TV reported no casualties.

Barrack stated that Syria’s interim government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa has not adopted a predatory posture or maintained proxy forces, and has repeatedly indicated a preference for de-escalation with Israel. He urged all parties to prioritize logical discourse over further military incidents rather than pursue additional action.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on the remarks. The statement marks one of the most direct US criticisms of Israeli strikes inside Syria since the fall of the Assad government in December 2024.