Turkey does not seek conflict with Israel in Syria but warns that Israeli airstrikes on military facilities are undermining regional stability and emboldening terrorist threats, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday.
Speaking on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Fidan criticized Israel’s strikes on Syria, saying they weaken the new government’s ability to counter groups like Islamic State (ISIS) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
“We don’t want to see any confrontation with Israel in Syria because Syria belongs to Syrians,” Fidan told Reuters. “Unfortunately, Israel is systematically dismantling the security capabilities that a new state could use to defend itself against ISIS and other threats.”
Since 2023, Turkey has been one of Israel’s harshest critics, accusing it of committing genocide in Gaza and supporting a case at the World Court. Turkey has also suspended trade with Israel. Israel rejects the genocide accusations.
Fidan emphasized that while Syria’s new leadership is free to engage with Israel if it chooses, Turkey opposes any foreign interference that undermines Syrian sovereignty. Ankara has pledged to support the reconstruction of Syria, calling for Western sanctions to be lifted to facilitate rebuilding efforts.
U.S. Relations and Regional Policy
Fidan revealed that the U.S. is reconsidering its sanctions on Syria under President Donald Trump’s administration. “They understand that the situation has changed and that sanctions designed for a different regime no longer apply,” he said.
Turkey, while pursuing closer ties with Washington, has clashed with the Trump administration over Middle East policies, particularly a controversial plan to turn Gaza into a tourism hub.
On Ukraine, Fidan acknowledged that any U.S.-brokered peace deal would be “difficult to digest” but preferable to prolonged war. He also warned against U.S. military action in Iran, urging diplomatic solutions instead.
Despite tensions, Fidan expressed optimism about resolving disputes between Turkey and the U.S., particularly regarding American sanctions on Turkey’s defense sector.