Israeli cabinet proposes dividing Syria into cantons

Israeli authorities are discussing the possibility of convening an international conference to explore a plan for altering Syria's administrative and territorial organization.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz held a meeting with other ministers to address the situation in Syria, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

During the session, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen reportedly advocated for promoting an international conference on Syria, aiming to secure Israel’s border by garnering some international support for Israeli military operations against threats posed by HTS forces.

Cohen also suggested an initiative to divide Syria into cantons to ensure the security and rights of all ethnic groups in Syria at this conference. Israel Hayom did not cite any additional details about this initiative, including what degree of autonomy the cantons would have.

However, the report noted that senior political and security officials have already discussed the idea, with a main concern being that any initiative proposed by Israel is unlikely to be accepted by the other states in the region.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has declared that Türkiye will not allow the disintegration of neighbouring Syria and is ready to act swiftly to prevent such developments. Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan stressed the importance of maintaining Syria's territorial integrity and warned of immediate measures if any risks arise.

In a related address in Samsun, Erdoğan issued a stern ultimatum to terrorist groups, particularly the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), demanding they surrender their weapons or face elimination. He emphasized Türkiye’s determination to eradicate terrorism, holding the PKK responsible for over 40,000 deaths since 1984.

"These separatist murderers will either bury their weapons or be buried with them," he stated.

By Aghakazim Guliyev