Tom Barrack said on Aug. 22 that Israel did not adequately warn the U.S. before its Syria strike.
Why it matters: The dispute could complicate U.S. diplomatic coordination with Israel at a moment when Washington is trying to reduce tensions in Syria. It also raises the stakes for de-escalation efforts involving Israel, Turkey and Syria near the Turkish border.
- Barrack is the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria.
- He said on Aug. 22 that Israel did not give the U.S. adequate advance notice before the Aug. 18 strike on Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria.
- Barrack said the attack may have been aimed at "baiting the Turks."
- Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz rejected that account, saying Israel shared intelligence with authorized parties in the United States.
Tom Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, called Israel’s strike on Abu al-Duhur Airbase an "unnecessary escalation" that did not help regional stability. His comments were reported Saturday by Al Jazeera, days after the Aug. 18 strike in northwestern Syria.
Barrack also said the strike may have been intended as "baiting the Turks." He framed that as a possibility, not a confirmed motive. Israel rejected the suggestion. Defense Minister Israel Katz said on social media that Israel had shared intelligence with authorized parties in the United States before the strike, according to Al Jazeera's report.
Reuters reported that Israel said it acted to stop what it saw as a possible Turkish military deployment at Abu al-Duhur, a claim Turkey denied. Reuters also reported that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani said there were no plans for a Turkish military base there and that Turkish officers had only visited as part of training and expertise exchange cooperation.
The broader dispute lands as Washington tries to broker de-escalation between Israel and Syria. Syria’s interim government says it is not seeking conflict with Israel, but Israel has repeatedly struck targets in Syria and warned against Turkish military entrenchment there. It remains unclear whether any U.S. officials were notified in advance of the strike, and if so, by whom.
By the numbers
- Aug. 18 - Date of the Israeli strike on Abu al-Duhur military airbase.
- Aug. 22 - Date Barrack said Israel did not adequately warn the U.S. before the strike.
Yes, but: It remains unclear whether any U.S. officials were notified in advance, and if so, by whom.