Speaking at the United Nations Security Council, the United States called on Israel and Syria to reduce tensions following attacks on Abu al-Duhur Air Base in the Idlib governorate of northwestern Syria.
Tammy Bruce, the US deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, said Washington would continue communicating with Israel, Syria and other parties in the region. Bruce said these contacts aimed to promote dialogue and peaceful solutions.
The US representative said close communication with all parties in the region would continue and efforts would be made to reduce tensions.
Eight strikes on the air base in Idlib
Israeli warplanes targeted the runway of Abu al-Duhur Military Air Base eight times on August 18. The strikes caused damage to the air base’s infrastructure.
Israel’s attacks in Syria intensified after the regime of Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024. Israel declared that the 1974 disengagement agreement had collapsed and took control of the buffer zone in Syria.
US removes Syria from terrorism list
Tammy Bruce also announced that the United States had removed Syria from its list of state sponsors of terrorism on August 24. Bruce described the decision as a “historic milestone” recognizing the progress made by the Syrian authorities in the political, humanitarian and security fields.
Bruce said the removal of US restrictions on Syria would expand opportunities for international trade and investment. She said this development would contribute to Syria’s reconstruction.
