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Israeli attacks on Syria have triggered a strong diplomatic response, with Pakistan and 11 other countries jointly condemning Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northwestern Syria and calling for concrete international action to prevent further escalation.
The foreign ministers of Türkiye, Algeria, Indonesia, Jordan, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Pakistan, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Somalia issued a joint statement on August 21, describing the strikes as an extreme escalation and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity.
Israeli Attacks on Syria Draw Regional Response
The joint statement came after Israeli aircraft targeted the Abu al-Duhur airbase near Aleppo earlier this week. Reuters reported that eight Israeli strikes hit the facility’s runway and storage areas, with no casualties reported in the initial account.
The 12 countries said the attack was part of a broader pattern of continued targeting of Syrian territory and infrastructure. They warned that such actions could undermine efforts to restore security, rebuild state institutions and address the humanitarian consequences of years of conflict.
The governments also stressed that Syria’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity must be respected.
Abu al-Duhur Airbase at Center of Tensions
The airbase has become a focal point in growing tensions involving Israel, Syria and Türkiye.
Israel has said its action was linked to concerns that Syria could allow an increased Turkish military presence at the facility. Türkiye has rejected those claims, while Syria has maintained that there were no plans for a Turkish military base at Abu al-Duhur.
The developments have added another layer of uncertainty to an already fragile regional security environment.
The United States has also expressed concern over the escalation. US special envoy Tom Barrack described the Israeli strike as an unnecessary escalation and said Washington was working toward a mechanism to improve communication between Israel, Türkiye and Syria and reduce the risk of unintended confrontation.
Countries Warn of Threat to Regional Stability
The foreign ministers said continued violations of Syrian sovereignty could further increase tensions and undermine regional peace and stability.
They also warned that repeated military action risks weakening respect for international law and the principles contained in the United Nations Charter. The countries called on the international community to adopt a firm and principled position and take practical measures to halt what they described as continued violations.
For Pakistan, the joint statement represents another diplomatic expression of its position on Syrian sovereignty and the wider principle that disputes should be addressed in accordance with international law.
Call for Respect of 1974 Agreement
The 12 foreign ministers also called for full respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and demanded the withdrawal of Israeli forces from areas they said had been occupied.
The statement linked those measures to the broader objective of preventing further escalation and protecting regional peace and stability.
The coordinated position of Pakistan and the other signatories signals growing concern among regional and Muslim-majority governments over the potential consequences of continued military action inside Syria.
With diplomatic tensions already rising between Israel and Türkiye over Syria, international efforts to establish communication channels could become increasingly important in preventing the situation from developing into a wider confrontation.
For now, the 12 countries are urging the international community to move beyond statements and take concrete steps to uphold Syrian sovereignty, international law and regional stability.The statement also underscored the importance of respecting Syria’s territorial integrity and avoiding measures that could undermine diplomatic efforts. The signatories urged all parties to exercise restraint and prioritize dialogue and peaceful mechanisms for resolving regional disputes and preventing escalation further.See More On Pulse Pakistan
