US Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack said Israel’s bombing of Syria’s Abu al-Duhur air base amounted to an “unnecessary escalation” that could complicate rising tensions between Israel and Turkey. Israeli warplanes struck the base on Monday night; it lies about 45 miles from the Turkish border and roughly 180 miles north of Israel. Israel initially did not claim responsibility but later acknowledged the attack.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Turkey was seeking to establish a military presence at the air base south of its current position, despite prior warnings. He said the strike was intended to clarify Israel’s position. The dispute prompted sharp exchanges, with Netanyahu calling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan an antisemitic dictator, while Erdogan’s office described the remarks as a cheap political tactic ahead of Netanyahu’s upcoming election.

Barrack said the United States had no evidence that Syria or Turkey was taking hostile or offensive action against Israel before the strike. He said Syria had told Mossad there were no Turkish troops, military convoys or weapons at the site, while talks and a US coordination framework were under way. Barrack said he hoped all parties would return to dialogue.