Turkey Rules Out Any Confrontation with Israel in Syria, Seeks Stability Through Dialogue
The Turkish government is actively working to schedule a suitable time for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Damascus as part of efforts to normalize ties and support Syria’s territorial integrity.
By Ahora Qadi
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan affirmed on Sunday that Turkey does not seek any military confrontation with Israel on Syrian territory, emphasizing that Ankara’s strategy remains focused on stabilizing Syria and diffusing tension through diplomatic channels.
Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Sunday, Fidan stated that Turkey is committed to continuing technical discussions with Israel to avoid potential clashes and to prevent the entrenchment of Israeli military bases in Syria. “We do not want to face off with any country in Syria,” Fidan said, stressing that Turkey’s policy is based on regional peace and stability rather than provocation or expansion.
According to Fidan, the Turkish government is actively working to schedule a suitable time for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Damascus as part of efforts to normalize ties and support Syria’s territorial integrity. He reiterated Ankara’s position that any foreign intervention should not undermine Syria’s sovereignty and called on Israel to cease actions that might be perceived as aggressive or destabilizing.
Days earlier, on April 10, Turkish Defense Ministry spokesperson Zeki Akturk had also criticized Israel’s recent operations, describing them as reckless and aimed at fragmenting Syria’s territorial cohesion. He noted that Israel’s actions posed a direct threat to Syria’s national security and stability, and called on the international community to take responsibility in curbing such violations of international law.
“Israel must abandon its expansionist and occupation-driven policies if it truly wants regional security,” Akturk stated. “The international community must not remain silent as these unlawful acts escalate.”
Fidan echoed this sentiment, reaffirming Turkey’s unwavering support for Syrian unity and underscoring its continued cooperation with the Syrian government to enhance border security and combat terrorism. “All of Turkey’s regional efforts,” he said, “are conducted in line with international law and bilateral agreements, without causing harm to any third party.”
The remarks come amid growing concern over Israel’s reported installation of military outposts within Syrian territory—developments widely interpreted as a response to Turkey’s own efforts to establish a security buffer zone in northern Syria. While the two regional powers have long held divergent views over Syria, Ankara’s diplomatic overture marks a notable shift away from confrontation toward calculated engagement.
