Syrian FM makes historic Pakistan visit, denies Turkish presence

• Syria’s foreign minister arrives in Pakistan for the first official visit in 19 years.
• Syria denies plans for a Turkish military base at Abu Al-Duhur airbase.
• 'Israeli' strikes hit Abu Al-Duhur airbase as Netanyahu and Trump respond.

Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Al-Shaibani arrived in Islamabad on Wednesday night leading a high-level delegation, marking the first official visit by a Syrian foreign minister to Pakistan in 19 years, Syria’s Foreign Ministry media department told SANA. 

Syria FM denies Turkish presence at Abu Al-Duhur airbase 

Al-Shaibani told Axios that the Syrian government informed ‘Israel’ that there was no coordination with Ankara for a military buildup at the Abu Al-Duhur airbase, confirming there was no intention to establish a Turkish base or deploy permanent forces at the site.

He added that the airfield was nearly vacant and in the process of rebuilding, making ‘Israel's’ justification linking the strike to a Turkish presence unsubstantiated by conditions on the ground.

Read more: 'Mossad' chief, Syrian FM discussed Turkish deployments before strikes: Reuters

Netanyahu's response 

These statements come following an attack by the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF), which dropped approximately eight bombs on the runways of the Abu Al-Duhur airbase, located 45 miles from the Turkish border, damaging the infrastructure without causing casualties.

While ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the strike aimed to send a clear message after warnings regarding Turkish deployment were ignored, US President Donald Trump told Axios that he was briefed on the attack without objecting, amid ongoing American efforts to prevent escalating tensions among its regional partners.