Türkiye's foreign minister, Hakan Fidan, stated on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Brussels that Ankara seeks to prevent any direct confrontation with Israel in Syria.
"We don't want to see any confrontation with Israel in Syria because Syria belongs to Syrians," Fidan said, warning that repeated Israeli strikes on military facilities in Syria are undermining the new government's ability to deter threats from enemies, including the Islamic State.
Fidan noted that Israel’s actions are fueling regional instability by targeting Syria, where President Ahmed al-Sharaa's transitional government, an ally of Türkiye, is trying to consolidate control after years of conflict. Türkiye, which shares a 911 km border with Syria, has emerged as a major power broker in the country, having long supported the rebel groups that now form the core of Syria's new Islamist administration. Israel, for its part, has accused Türkiyeof attempting to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate.
When asked if Türkiye's plans for a joint defence pact with Syria were provoking intensified Israeli strikes on Syrian military bases, Fidan explained that Ankara is working with regional partners to build a joint platform with Syria. This platform aims to block the re-emergence of the Islamic State and combat shared threats, including those posed by the banned Kurdish Workers Party (PKK). He cautioned that undermining these efforts could plunge the region back into chaos.
Fidan also remarked on the broader regional dynamics. While Türkiye has vocally criticised Israel over its actions in Gaza—accusing it of committing genocide against Palestinians and even applying to join a World Court case against Israel—he emphasized that Türkiye's primary concern in Syria is preventing militant groups like ISIS and the PKK from exploiting the transitional period marked by reduced military capabilities.
Discussing Türkiye's regional role further, Fidan added that if Syria’s new administration decides to establish certain understandings with Israel, that is ultimately their own business. Ankara, however, remains committed to supporting Syria’s reconstruction—from rebuilding infrastructure to restoring state institutions—and has called for the full lifting of Western sanctions on Syria.
Fidan also touched on Türkiye's relations with the United States. After holding talks with U.S. officials in Washington last week, he said that the Trump administration was reviewing its policy and sanctions on Syria, noting, "Now we have a new Syria. I think that new Syria requires a different approach." He expressed optimism that Trump's "problem-solving techniques" could eventually resolve lingering disputes, including those related to U.S. sanctions on Türkiye's defence industry, even as any potential peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow remains difficult to accept.
Meanwhile, Türkiye continues to play a balancing act in its relations with both Kyiv and Moscow, maintaining its role as the second-largest army in NATO and as an important guarantor of security in the region. Fidan reiterated Türkiye's offer to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, following initial discussions hosted in 2022.
On the issue of U.S. threats against Iran, Fidan stressed the need for diplomacy, saying, "We need to bring the Americans and the Iranians together to have frank and sincere discussions. This should be the only way forward."
Today, the High-Level Economic Dialogue between Türkiye and the European Union has been resumed in Brussels after six years.
Turkiye’s annual inflation dropped to 38.1% in March, below forecasts, offering slight relief amid economic pressures. Monthly inflation rose 2.46%, while producer prices surged 23.5% annually. Experts remain cautious as currency fluctuations pose future risks.
Meta announced it had been hit with a "substantial" fine for refusing to comply with Turkish government demands to restrict content on Facebook and Instagram.
Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is scheduled to visit Paris today to discuss European security, regional developments, and bilateral relations, according to media reports referring to sources from the Foreign Ministry.
Russia is expanding Arctic cooperation with Türkiye, China, and India, securing foreign investment for the Northern Sea Route. Rosatom's chief highlighted ongoing projects, growing transit with China, and UAE-backed logistics hubs, positioning Russia as a key player in Arctic development.
Thousands march across Spain demanding affordable housing amid soaring rents and dwindling supply.
President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he would consider offering tariff relief to China if Beijing approves a deal for the sale of TikTok, the short video app owned by ByteDance.
India and 10 African countries will hold their inaugural joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean in mid-April, marking a significant step in military cooperation aimed at boosting maritime security and countering China’s growing influence in the region.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed his deputy for parliamentary affairs, Shahram Dabiri, following controversy over Dabiri’s recent trip to Antarctica during the Persian New Year holidays.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
The inaugural Samarkand International Climate Forum will kick off on 4th April at the Silk Road Samarkand Congress Center in Uzbekistan. The high-profile forum will be held under the theme "Central Asia Facing Global Climate Challenges: Consolidation for Shared Prosperity."
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
The cost of the U.S. military’s offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen has reached nearly $1 billion in just under three weeks, but the campaign has had limited success in crippling the group’s capabilities, sources briefed on the operation told CNN.
The global fashion industry was left in shock on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs, the highest and most comprehensive in nearly a century.
Syria has welcomed a United Nations resolution aimed at investigating human rights abuses and improving the country’s record following 13 years of brutal civil conflict under former President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
U.S. President Donald Trump hopes for the signing of a long-awaited peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, which could mark a new era of stability in the South Caucasus, a senior U.S. official said.
Moldova is interested in importing natural gas from Azerbaijan to diversify its energy sources and enhance national energy security, the country’s energy minister said in Baku.
Thousands march across Spain demanding affordable housing amid soaring rents and dwindling supply.
President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he would consider offering tariff relief to China if Beijing approves a deal for the sale of TikTok, the short video app owned by ByteDance.
India and 10 African countries will hold their inaugural joint naval exercise in the Indian Ocean in mid-April, marking a significant step in military cooperation aimed at boosting maritime security and countering China’s growing influence in the region.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed his deputy for parliamentary affairs, Shahram Dabiri, following controversy over Dabiri’s recent trip to Antarctica during the Persian New Year holidays.
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