Erdogan pledges to keep Türkiye safe amid escalating Middle East conflict

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed Ankara’s determination to shield the country from the escalating conflict in the Middle East, emphasizing that Türkiye will remain insulated from the violence despite growing regional security threats.

Speaking to the Justice and Development Party parliamentary group at the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, Erdogan stressed the importance of navigating the current crisis without losses, Anadolu Agency reports.

“The war continues, escalating the level of threats. Our priority is to navigate this period without losses. We are determined to keep Türkiye away from this fire,” he said.

Erdogan addressed recent US and Israeli strikes on Iran, warning that the intensifying conflict only worsens regional instability.

“It must not be forgotten that every drop of blood shed in the war will prolong [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu’s political survival," the Turkish leader said.

He further held Israel primarily responsible for what he described as an illegal war that has destabilized the region and imposed significant economic burdens worldwide.

“The Israeli government bears primary responsibility for this unlawful war, which has not only turned our region into a zone of conflict but has also imposed an economic burden on all of humanity,” Erdogan said, 

Despite the grim assessment, Erdogan expressed hope for a rapid resolution to the crisis.

“Our hope is that the path to peace will be opened without further bloodshed, and for this, we will continue to do everything we can, even if it means putting ourselves on the line,” the Turkish president added.

By Vafa Guliyeva