Türkiye rejects confrontation with Israel over Syria but warns of future risks

Türkiye seeks to avoid confrontation with Israel in Syria, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on April 4, following a series of Israeli attacks on military sites in Syria that have undermined the Turkish government's ability to deter threats.

Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, Fidan expressed concerns over Israel’s actions in Syria, a country where President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s administration is a close ally of Türkiye, per Caliber.Az. 

He warned that Israel’s strikes could lead to increased regional instability.

“If the new administration in Damascus wants to have certain understandings with Israel, which, like Türkiye, is a neighbor of Syria, that is their own business,” Fidan stated, indicating Türkiye’s stance on the matter.

Türkiye, a NATO member, has been vocal in its criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza since 2023, accusing the Israeli military of committing genocide against Palestinians. Ankara has applied to join a case at the World Court against Israel while halting all trade with the country. Israel has denied the genocide accusations.

The tensions between Türkiye and Israel have spilled over into Syria, where Israeli forces have been conducting strikes for several weeks since a new administration took control in Damascus. Türkiye has condemned these actions, calling them an encroachment on Syrian territory, while Israel maintains that it will not tolerate hostile forces operating within Syria.

Regarding U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of military strikes against Iran, Fidan emphasized that diplomacy is crucial for resolving such disputes. He reiterated that Türkiye does not want to see any military action against its neighbor, Iran.

By Tamilla Hasanova