US envoy says Israel ‘occupies’ Golan, US intelligence rejects claim of Turkish deployment in Syria

ANKARA – 22 August 2026: US Ambassador to Türkiye and Special Presidential Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack has highlighted Israel’s continued occupation of the Golan Heights, stressing that the territory is internationally recognized as part of Syria.

Speaking to Lebanese-Australian commentator Mario Nawfal, Barrack said Israel’s control of the Golan remains “against the UN resolutions, against all of the international order.”

Abu al-Duhur airbase strike

Barrack also raised the possibility that Israel’s recent strike on Syria’s Abu al-Duhur airbase was intended to provoke a Turkish response.

He said one theory was that “the Israelis were baiting the Turks” by deploying aircraft near the border without prior notification or an agreement, describing the move as a “very dangerous game.”

Meanwhile, Barrack highlighted Ankara’s efforts to exercise restraint, stressing that the Turks are “not predatory.”

As another possible explanation, Barrack suggested the strike could have resulted from a breakdown in coordination between Israel’s political leadership, intelligence services and military.

He added that US intelligence has examined and rejected Israel’s claim that Turkish forces were preparing to deploy at the Syrian airbase.