US special envoy calls for de-escalation after Israel strikes Syria

The United States special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, has called for de-escalation and strengthened dialogue after Israel launched air strikes on the Abu al-Duhur air base in Syria. “Lower tensions, increase dialogue, increase communication, and avoid sudden military action,” Barrack told PBS News. On Tuesday, Israel carried out air strikes on the Abu al-Duhur air base in Syria, near Aleppo and not far from the Turkish border. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained the strikes by stating that Syria was close to violating the security agreement with Israel by allowing Turkish forces to be stationed at the air base. The statement said the possible presence of Turkish forces at the base could pose a security threat to Israel and would not be tolerated. Turkey condemned the strikes, while Barrack described them as an unnecessary escalation.