Türkiye aims to avoid conflict with Israel in Syria, foreign minister says

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."

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