Türkiye condemns Israel's occupation of Syrian territory

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has condemned Israel's occupation actions in Syria.

"We firmly condemn Israel's violation of the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement between Israel and Syria, its invasion of the buffer zone, and its advancement into Syrian territory," Caliber.Az reports, citing the ministry’s message on X.

İsrail’in Suriye Topraklarında Devam Eden İşgalci Eylemleri Hk. https://t.co/mxgMyOWVi2 pic.twitter.com/2AjGdf23N4

— T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı (@TC_Disisleri) December 10, 2024

The Turkish Foreign Ministry further emphasised: "At this sensitive moment, when there is a chance for peace and stability that the Syrian people have long awaited, Israel is once again demonstrating its occupier mentality." 

The ministry reiterated Türkiye's unwavering support for Syria's sovereignty, political unity, and territorial integrity.

On December 8, Israel swiftly moved to seize the buffer zone separating the occupied Golan Heights from areas under Syrian control. The Israeli military also issued a warning to residents of five nearby villages, advising them to stay at home due to the escalating situation. Israel captured most of the Golan Heights in 1967 and formally annexed the territory in 1981, a move deemed illegal under international law. 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he had ordered Israeli forces to take control of the buffer zone, which was established under a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, shortly after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad. 

In a statement to the press on December 9, Netanyahu asserted that the Golan Heights would remain under Israeli control forever. He also expressed gratitude to US President-elect Donald Trump for recognising Israel's sovereignty over the territory during his first term. International law, however, forbids the acquisition of land by force.

By Naila Huseynova