Turkey on Thursday (Aug 20) denied having any military presence at a Syrian air base struck by Israel earlier this week, rejecting claims that Ankara was preparing to establish a military foothold at the facility in northern Syria. The Abu al-Zuhur air base, near Aleppo, was targeted by Israeli strikes on Tuesday (Aug 18). The facility has remained out of service since 2012 after suffering extensive damage during Syria’s civil war.Israel said the strikes followed a recent visit to the base by a Turkish military delegation. The claim has fuelled concerns in Israel over a possible expansion of Turkey’s military presence in Syria.“There was no Turkish military delegation at the Abu al-Zuhur airbase before or during the attack carried out by Israel,” a Turkish defence official told journalists on Thursday, speaking anonymously.<h2>Netanyahu warns Turkey</h2>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel would oppose any Turkish military entrenchment moving towards its territory.“We will not tolerate a Turkish military entrenchment moving southward, because it threatens us,” Netanyahu said in an army radio podcast.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-replacing-uss-abraham-lincoln-amid-reports-of-suffering-troops-new-aircraft-carrier-to-arrive-in-middle-east-1786681186213">US replacing USS Abraham Lincoln amid reports of suffering troops? New aircraft carrier to arrive in Middle East</a>Ankara, however, rejected Israel’s action and reaffirmed its support for Syria’s territorial integrity. Turkish Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk described the strikes as “unacceptable”, accusing Israel of undermining Syria’s stability and sovereignty.“Israel's attack on the Abu al-Zuhur air base is aimed at harming Syria's stability, security, unity, integrity and infrastructure,” Akturk said.He added that Turkey would continue its efforts to support Syria’s sovereignty and help create conditions for post-war stability.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier reported that the Israeli strikes came after a Turkish military delegation visited the airfield as part of efforts to reactivate it.The dispute highlights growing tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria, where both countries have competing security interests as Damascus seeks to rebuild after years of conflict.

Turkey denied having a military presence at Syria’s Abu al-Zuhur air base after Israel struck it. Ankara condemned the attack, while Netanyahu warned against Turkish military entrenchment in Syria.

Turkey on Thursday (Aug 20) denied having any military presence at a Syrian air base struck by Israel earlier this week, rejecting claims that Ankara was preparing to establish a military foothold at the facility in northern Syria. The Abu al-Zuhur air base, near Aleppo, was targeted by Israeli strikes on Tuesday (Aug 18). The facility has remained out of service since 2012 after suffering extensive damage during Syria’s civil war. Israel said the strikes followed a recent visit to the base by a Turkish military delegation. The claim has fuelled concerns in Israel over a possible expansion of Turkey’s military presence in Syria. “There was no Turkish military delegation at the Abu al-Zuhur airbase before or during the attack carried out by Israel,” a Turkish defence official told journalists on Thursday, speaking anonymously. Netanyahu warns Turkey Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel would oppose any Turkish military entrenchment moving towards its territory. “We will not tolerate a Turkish military entrenchment moving southward, because it threatens us,” Netanyahu said in an army radio podcast. Also read | US replacing USS Abraham Lincoln amid reports of suffering troops? New aircraft carrier to arrive in Middle East Ankara, however, rejected Israel’s action and reaffirmed its support for Syria’s territorial integrity. Turkish Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk described the strikes as “unacceptable”, accusing Israel of undermining Syria’s stability and sovereignty. “Israel's attack on the Abu al-Zuhur air base is aimed at harming Syria's stability, security, unity, integrity and infrastructure,” Akturk said. He added that Turkey would continue its efforts to support Syria’s sovereignty and help create conditions for post-war stability. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights had earlier reported that the Israeli strikes came after a Turkish military delegation visited the airfield as part of efforts to reactivate it. The dispute highlights growing tensions between Israel and Turkey over Syria, where both countries have competing security interests as Damascus seeks to rebuild after years of conflict.

Turkey denied having a military presence at Syria’s Abu al-Zuhur air base after Israel struck it. Ankara condemned the attack, while Netanyahu warned against Turkish military entrenchment in Syria.

Turkey denies military presence at Syrian base struck by Israel – What we know

Multiple Israeli airstrikes were reported in Daraa and Suwayda areas in southern Syria on Sunday (Dec. 8), Syrian media reported. The strikes were reported near the Syria-Israel border and also at the Mezzeh airbase near the capital Damascus.

The strikes targeted ammunition and weapons depots at the Khalkhalah airbase in Suwaydam, reported The Times of Israel.

No immediate comment was given by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Earlier, IDF said it was tracking weapons in Syria and ensuring they do not reach Hezbollah or any other elements to prevent any kind of threat to Israel.&nbsp;

The Israeli strikes came just after Syrian rebel factions announced on state television that they had successfully overthrown President Bashar al-Assad and had freed "unjustly detained" prisoners.&nbsp;

In their TV address, they referred to Assad as a "tyrant" and also urged for the protection of state property.&nbsp;

The development came after a wave of intense clashes and strategic advancements by the rebel forces in Damascus and surrounding areas.

Watch |&nbsp;Syrian Rebels Seize Damascus, Marking End of Assad's Rule 
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A group of individuals appeared on state television and made the announcement of "the liberation of the city of Damascus and the fall of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad and the release of all the unjustly detained from the regime prisons", reading a statement from the "Damascus Conquest operations room".

The rebels called on fighters and citizens to safeguard the "property of the free Syrian state".&nbsp;

<h2>Opposition flag unfurled&nbsp;</h2>

The reports also came that the Syrian opposition flag was unfurled at the Syrian embassy in Athens, Greece. It was hours after the Islamic rebels declared the end of the Assad regime.&nbsp;

Furthermore, Iran's embassy in Syria was also attacked on the same day.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

&nbsp;

Multiple Israeli airstrikes were reported in Daraa and Suwayda areas in southern Syria on Sunday (Dec. 8), Syrian media reported. The strikes were reported near the Syria-Israel border and also at the Mezzeh airbase near the capital Damascus.

Multiple Israeli airstrikes were reported in Daraa and Suwayda areas in southern Syria on Sunday (Dec. 8), Syrian media reported. The strikes were reported near the Syria-Israel border and also at the Mezzeh airbase near the capital Damascus. The strikes targeted ammunition and weapons depots at the Khalkhalah airbase in Suwaydam, reported The Times of Israel. No immediate comment was given by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). Earlier, IDF said it was tracking weapons in Syria and ensuring they do not reach Hezbollah or any other elements to prevent any kind of threat to Israel. The Israeli strikes came just after Syrian rebel factions announced on state television that they had successfully overthrown President Bashar al-Assad and had freed "unjustly detained" prisoners. In their TV address, they referred to Assad as a "tyrant" and also urged for the protection of state property. The development came after a wave of intense clashes and strategic advancements by the rebel forces in Damascus and surrounding areas. Watch | Syrian Rebels Seize Damascus, Marking End of Assad's Rule × A group of individuals appeared on state television and made the announcement of "the liberation of the city of Damascus and the fall of the tyrant Bashar al-Assad and the release of all the unjustly detained from the regime prisons", reading a statement from the "Damascus Conquest operations room". The rebels called on fighters and citizens to safeguard the "property of the free Syrian state". Opposition flag unfurled The reports also came that the Syrian opposition flag was unfurled at the Syrian embassy in Athens, Greece. It was hours after the Islamic rebels declared the end of the Assad regime. Furthermore, Iran's embassy in Syria was also attacked on the same day. (With inputs from agencies)

Multiple Israeli airstrikes reported in southern Syria targeting airbases

A munitions blast killed 31 regime and allied fighters at a military airport in central Syria on Saturday, a war monitor said.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain and relies on a network of sources on the ground, said it was unclear what had caused the deadly explosion at the Shayrat airbase in Homs province.&nbsp;

But state news agency SANA reported that a "technical fault during the transport of expired ammunition" had killed an unspecified number of victims.

The Shayrat airbase is one of the regime's most significant installations in the centre of the country.

Iranian fighters -- who support the regime in Syria's ongoing civil war -- are based there, according to the Observatory.&nbsp;

In 2017, US airstrikes hit the base in response to a suspected sarin gas attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun in northwest Syria that killed more than 80 people.

According to the Pentagon, US intelligence had established that the base was the launchpad for the alleged chemical attack.

Syria's war has killed more than 370,00 people since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

A munitions blast killed 31 regime and allied fighters at a military airport in central Syria on Saturday, a war monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain and relies on a network of sources on the ground, said it was unclear what had caused the deadly explosion at the Shayrat airbase in Homs province.

A munitions blast killed 31 regime and allied fighters at a military airport in central Syria on Saturday, a war monitor said. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which is based in Britain and relies on a network of sources on the ground, said it was unclear what had caused the deadly explosion at the Shayrat airbase in Homs province. But state news agency SANA reported that a "technical fault during the transport of expired ammunition" had killed an unspecified number of victims. The Shayrat airbase is one of the regime's most significant installations in the centre of the country. Iranian fighters -- who support the regime in Syria's ongoing civil war -- are based there, according to the Observatory. In 2017, US airstrikes hit the base in response to a suspected sarin gas attack on the rebel-held town of Khan Sheikhun in northwest Syria that killed more than 80 people. According to the Pentagon, US intelligence had established that the base was the launchpad for the alleged chemical attack. Syria's war has killed more than 370,00 people since starting in 2011 with the brutal repression of anti-government protests.

Blast kills 31 regime fighters at Syria airbase: Report

At least 28 pro-government fighters have been killed in a string of blasts at a regime airbase in central Syria earlier this week, a monitor said Sunday giving a new toll.

The deadly explosions tore through weapons and fuel depots on Friday at a military airport in Syria's Hama province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.&nbsp

"The toll has gone up to at least 28 regime forces and loyalist fighters, all Syrian," said the Britain-based monitor, after initially reporting 11 killed.

It said the death toll could rise as "dozens" are wounded "some in of them in critical condition," it said.

Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said there may also be casualties from other nationalities, as fighters from regime backer Iran and allied Lebanese militia Hezbollah were deployed there.

But a joint operations room of Syria's regional allies denied any of their forces had been killed in the explosions.

"We have no military advisers in the Hama airbase. We have no depots and have not positioned forces from Iran or elsewhere at this airport," it said in a statement carried on Hezbollah's War Media Channel.&nbsp

Syrian state media reported the blasts at the time but did not provide any details, while the Observatory had said they were likely due to a technical malfunction.&nbsp

Tensions are high in Syria after several Israeli strikes in recent weeks on regime positions, as well as military installations reportedly used by Iran.&nbsp

The latest wave came in the early hours of May 10, when Israel carried out dozens of raids against what it said were "Iranian" targets in Syria.&nbsp

Israel has repeatedly threatened to act if Iran developed an entrenched military presence in southern Syria, which borders the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.&nbsp

More than 350,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests that spiralled into a brutal war.

At least 28 pro-government fighters have been killed in a string of blasts at a regime airbase in central Syria earlier this week, a monitor said Sunday giving a new toll

At least 28 pro-government fighters have been killed in a string of blasts at a regime airbase in central Syria earlier this week, a monitor said Sunday giving a new toll. The deadly explosions tore through weapons and fuel depots on Friday at a military airport in Syria's Hama province, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. "The toll has gone up to at least 28 regime forces and loyalist fighters, all Syrian," said the Britain-based monitor, after initially reporting 11 killed. It said the death toll could rise as "dozens" are wounded "some in of them in critical condition," it said. Observatory head Rami Abdel Rahman said there may also be casualties from other nationalities, as fighters from regime backer Iran and allied Lebanese militia Hezbollah were deployed there. But a joint operations room of Syria's regional allies denied any of their forces had been killed in the explosions. "We have no military advisers in the Hama airbase. We have no depots and have not positioned forces from Iran or elsewhere at this airport," it said in a statement carried on Hezbollah's War Media Channel. Syrian state media reported the blasts at the time but did not provide any details, while the Observatory had said they were likely due to a technical malfunction. Tensions are high in Syria after several Israeli strikes in recent weeks on regime positions, as well as military installations reportedly used by Iran. The latest wave came in the early hours of May 10, when Israel carried out dozens of raids against what it said were "Iranian" targets in Syria. Israel has repeatedly threatened to act if Iran developed an entrenched military presence in southern Syria, which borders the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. More than 350,000 people have been killed since Syria's conflict erupted in March 2011 with protests that spiralled into a brutal war.

Toll from blasts at Syria airbase climbs to 28: Monitor

The US today warned President Bashar al-Assad against using chemical weapons again and asserted that its air strikes on a Syrian air base had destroyed a fifth of his regime&#39;s working warplanes.

The Syrian government would be &quot;ill-advised&quot; ever again to use chemical weapons, US defence secretary James Mattis said, issuing a stern warning to the Assad regime.

His warning came as the White House insisted that the Syrian President, who used chemical weapons against its own people, should not stay in power.

The US military strike against Shayrat airfield on April 6 was a measured response to the Syrian government&#39;s use of chemical weapons, Mattis said.

&quot;The president directed this action to deter future use of chemical weapons and to show the United States will not passively stand by while Assad murders innocent people with chemical weapons, which are prohibited by international law and which were declared destroyed,&quot; he said.

Mattis said the assessment of the Department of Defence was that the strike resulted in the damage or destruction of fuel and ammunition sites, air defence capabilities, and 20 per cent of Syria&#39;s operational aircraft.

&quot;The Syrian government has lost the ability to refuel or rearm aircraft at Shayrat airfield and at this point, use of the runway is of idle military interest,&quot; Mattis said, echoing the White House which asserted that the US conducted a successful missile strike against the Assad regime.

As part of the efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Syria and press for a political process that can resolve the conflict and eventually result in a transition of a new, legitimate Syrian leadership, the US special envoy for Syria will be coming to Washington tomorrow for consultations with the State Department and with National Security Advisor H R McMaster here at the White House.

He has been overseeing the political talks among Syrian parties in Geneva.

Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that the missile strike was conducted to stop proliferation and deterrence of chemical weapons.

&quot;When you see mass weapons of destruction being used, it should be a concern to every nation, especially our own people. The proliferation of those weapons pose a grave threat to our national security. So, number one, we have to stop that,&quot; Spicer said.

&quot;Number two, we have to stop IS. With respect to the people of Syria, by us taking action and de-escalating what&#39;s going on in Syria, that&#39;s the greatest thing you can do to support those people. De-escalating the conflict there, containing IS is the greatest aspect of humanitarian relief that we can provide, first and foremost,&quot; Spicer said in response to a question.

He said creating areas in which the US can work with allies, including Russia, and committing to ensuring that there are places that are free from violence and are places free for people to gather safely is another aspect of humanitarian relief.

&quot;I think everyone would agree that the last thing the people want to do there is leave. They want to stay there. They want to be in Syria. They want to have a safe place to remain with their families and not be separated,&quot; he said.

&quot;So our number one priority is to defeat IS,but we&#39;re also, I think from a humanitarian standpoint and a refugee standpoint, ensuring that we create an environment that provides a safe place for them to ultimately remain,&quot; the White House Press Secretary said.

&quot;Then on Russia in particular, I think that if you look at the counties that are with us, it speaks pretty loudly the number of countries that have stood shoulder to shoulder with this President. Russia, on the other hand, stands with Syria, North Korea and Iran. I think when you contrast the two groups of countries, sets, it&#39;s pretty clear that we&#39;re on the right side of this issue,&quot; Spicer said.

The White House Press Secretary alleged that the Syrian President is indulging in a &quot;PR stint&quot; after the missile strike, which took out significant portion of its air capabilities.

&quot;What you&#39;re hearing, you&#39;re taken two pre-fuelled planes and taken them off. It&#39;s a P R stunt,&quot; he said.

&quot;The bottom line is their fuelling capability&#39;s been taken out, their radar capability was taken out and over 20 per cent of their fixed-wing aircraft from their entire air force was taken out. Their ability to operate successfully out of that airbase is gone,&quot; Spicer said.

&quot;It&#39;s a PR stunt, they took some pre-fuelled planes, pushed them over to make it look like nothing -- but make no mistake about it, their radar capability is gone, their fuelling capability is gone and a good chunk of their aircraft is gone. That&#39;s a huge success,&quot; Spicer said.&nbsp;

(PTI)

The US defence secretary said the strike resulted in the damage or destruction of Syria's fuel and ammunition sites and air defence capabilities

The US today warned President Bashar al-Assad against using chemical weapons again and asserted that its air strikes on a Syrian air base had destroyed a fifth of his regime's working warplanes. The Syrian government would be "ill-advised" ever again to use chemical weapons, US defence secretary James Mattis said, issuing a stern warning to the Assad regime. His warning came as the White House insisted that the Syrian President, who used chemical weapons against its own people, should not stay in power. The US military strike against Shayrat airfield on April 6 was a measured response to the Syrian government's use of chemical weapons, Mattis said. "The president directed this action to deter future use of chemical weapons and to show the United States will not passively stand by while Assad murders innocent people with chemical weapons, which are prohibited by international law and which were declared destroyed," he said. Mattis said the assessment of the Department of Defence was that the strike resulted in the damage or destruction of fuel and ammunition sites, air defence capabilities, and 20 per cent of Syria's operational aircraft. "The Syrian government has lost the ability to refuel or rearm aircraft at Shayrat airfield and at this point, use of the runway is of idle military interest," Mattis said, echoing the White House which asserted that the US conducted a successful missile strike against the Assad regime. As part of the efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Syria and press for a political process that can resolve the conflict and eventually result in a transition of a new, legitimate Syrian leadership, the US special envoy for Syria will be coming to Washington tomorrow for consultations with the State Department and with National Security Advisor H R McMaster here at the White House. He has been overseeing the political talks among Syrian parties in Geneva. Meanwhile, White House press secretary Sean Spicer told reporters that the missile strike was conducted to stop proliferation and deterrence of chemical weapons. "When you see mass weapons of destruction being used, it should be a concern to every nation, especially our own people. The proliferation of those weapons pose a grave threat to our national security. So, number one, we have to stop that," Spicer said. "Number two, we have to stop IS. With respect to the people of Syria, by us taking action and de-escalating what's going on in Syria, that's the greatest thing you can do to support those people. De-escalating the conflict there, containing IS is the greatest aspect of humanitarian relief that we can provide, first and foremost," Spicer said in response to a question. He said creating areas in which the US can work with allies, including Russia, and committing to ensuring that there are places that are free from violence and are places free for people to gather safely is another aspect of humanitarian relief. "I think everyone would agree that the last thing the people want to do there is leave. They want to stay there. They want to be in Syria. They want to have a safe place to remain with their families and not be separated," he said. "So our number one priority is to defeat IS,but we're also, I think from a humanitarian standpoint and a refugee standpoint, ensuring that we create an environment that provides a safe place for them to ultimately remain," the White House Press Secretary said. "Then on Russia in particular, I think that if you look at the counties that are with us, it speaks pretty loudly the number of countries that have stood shoulder to shoulder with this President. Russia, on the other hand, stands with Syria, North Korea and Iran. I think when you contrast the two groups of countries, sets, it's pretty clear that we're on the right side of this issue," Spicer said. The White House Press Secretary alleged that the Syrian President is indulging in a "PR stint" after the missile strike, which took out significant portion of its air capabilities. "What you're hearing, you're taken two pre-fuelled planes and taken them off. It's a P R stunt," he said. "The bottom line is their fuelling capability's been taken out, their radar capability was taken out and over 20 per cent of their fixed-wing aircraft from their entire air force was taken out. Their ability to operate successfully out of that airbase is gone," Spicer said. "It's a PR stunt, they took some pre-fuelled planes, pushed them over to make it look like nothing -- but make no mistake about it, their radar capability is gone, their fuelling capability is gone and a good chunk of their aircraft is gone. That's a huge success," Spicer said. (PTI)

US strike damaged or destroyed 20 per cent of Syria's operational airplanes: Mattis

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Turkey denies military presence at Syrian base struck by Israel – What we know

Multiple Israeli airstrikes reported in southern Syria targeting airbases

Blast kills 31 regime fighters at Syria airbase: Report

Toll from blasts at Syria airbase climbs to 28: Monitor

US strike damaged or destroyed 20 per cent of Syria's operational airplanes: Mattis