Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned that Israel’s military operations in Syria and Lebanon have escalated to a point where they could threaten Türkiye, describing Israel’s actions as “aggression” that poses a broader global risk.
Speaking to lawmakers from his ruling AK Party in parliament, Erdoğan said: “The attacks by Netanyahu and his network of murder on Lebanon and Syria have brought the issue to a point where it also threatens Türkiye,” adding that Ankara’s security was closely linked to that of its neighbours.
He urged the international community to take a firmer stance, saying Israel had been emboldened by the “silence of the international community.”
Türkiye, a NATO member, has been among the most vocal critics of Israel’s military campaigns in the region, particularly in Iran, Gaza and Lebanon, which it says have undermined regional stability.
Calls for international action
Ankara has suspended trade with Israel and called for action through international legal channels. Erdoğan also accused Israel of leading a “sneaky effort” to destabilise parts of Africa and the Mediterranean, including Cyprus, by “igniting the fire of discord.”
Eastern Mediterranean tensions
Addressing tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean, Erdoğan said: “Nobody should chase adventures… if the rights of Türkiye and Turkish Cypriots are violated… our response will be very clear and very strong.”
He reiterated that “pulling Israel back to within the bounds of the rule of law has become a shared duty… for all of humanity”, framing the issue as a broader international responsibility rather than a regional dispute.
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