Türkiye blames Israel for destabilising Syria, pledges to defend regional order

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused Israel of deliberately seeking to divide Syria and undermine regional stability, stressing that Türkiye, alongside its regional partners, will not allow such efforts to succeed.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara with his Salvadoran counterpart, Alexandra Hill Tinoco, Fidan said Israel was exploiting the situation in southern Syria, particularly in the Suwayda region, to justify interventions under the guise of protecting the Druze community, Caliber.Az reports per Turkish media.

He warned that such actions were not intended to foster peace but rather to fuel chaos across the region.

“Israel aims to fragment Syria,” Fidan said. “Netanyahu’s interests lie in dragging the Middle East into further chaos. With every step, Israel pursues a policy of weakening its neighbourhood and maintaining instability.”

He added that Israel's interventions, far from being protective, were sabotaging ongoing efforts to bring peace and security to Syria. 

“While other countries, including regional states, the United States and European nations, have adopted a constructive approach towards supporting the Syrian people over the past seven months, Israel has sought to derail these initiatives.”

Fidan reiterated Türkiye’s commitment to safeguarding Syria’s territorial integrity and ensuring the region does not descend into further conflict. “We, as the countries of the region, will not allow Israel’s plans to succeed,” he said.

In mid‑July, intense clashes erupted between Druze and Bedouin groups in Suwayda province. Syrian government forces intervened to restore order, prompting Israeli airstrikes against Syrian tanks and military positions—ostensibly to “warn” the new Damascus administration.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least 321 individuals have been killed, including six children and nine women, with over 436 others injured since the onset of clashes between armed Druze factions and Bedouin tribal forces on July 13.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the total death toll had risen to 516 by July 17.

Türkiye played a pivotal role behind the scenes, using diplomatic channels and intelligence coordination to broker a ceasefire in Suwayda.

At the same time, Fidan communicated serious concerns to Israeli counterparts through Turkish intelligence, condemning strikes in southern Syria and urging an immediate halt.

Turkish President Erdoğan similarly warned that renewed instability along the southern border threatens regional security. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev