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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Wednesday condemned Israel’s recent attacks in Syria, warning that unilateral actions risk destabilizing a region that has only recently begun to recover.
“We cannot tolerate policies that will cause instability in Syria,” Fidan told reporters in New York, where he was attending the Informal Expanded Format Meeting on Cyprus..
Fidan said Israel’s assaults on Syrian territory are unacceptable and contradict ongoing regional efforts to stabilize the country.
“This region is our region. Unilateral destabilization here is absolutely unacceptable,” he said. “Thanks to the efforts of our President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and with contributions from other countries—especially the U.S., EU, Saudi Arabia, and regional states—a new roadmap has been established in Syria."
Fidan added that Türkiye is in close dialogue with the United States and regional actors to address Syria’s chronic problems, ensure its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and uphold the security and rights of all communities in the country.
Israel launched airstrikes Wednesday on Damascus, targeting the Defense Ministry and areas near the presidential palace. The strikes came as Israel resumed attacks in southern Syria's Sweida province, warning it will continue unless Syrian forces withdraw.
The Syrian army had deployed troops to the area to restore order after clashes between armed Druze and Bedouin groups that killed at least 30 people. Meanwhile, the Israeli army claims the operations are to protect the Druze minority.
Addressing Israel’s airstrikes on the Syrian capital Damascus, Fidan said Tel Aviv has adopted a long-standing policy of “de facto destabilization” in the region.
“This policy is based solely on Israel’s national security priorities, implemented without regard for regional rules, norms, or the rights, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of other countries,” he said.
Fidan noted that Israeli strikes had extended from Gaza and the West Bank to Lebanon, Iran, and now Syria. “Regional countries are closely monitoring these destabilizing actions. We are all working in coordination on this issue,” he added.
Responding to a question from Ihlas News Agency’s New York correspondent Dilek Kaya about potential regional responses to Israel’s military actions, Fidan said Türkiye is in close and constant contact with international and regional counterparts.
“The U.S., particularly its Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack, is closely monitoring developments. We’re exchanging information and coordinating throughout the day,” he said.
Fidan described Jordan as a key regional actor, saying many recent incidents had occurred near the Jordanian border. “Jordan is naturally concerned, and rightly so. We share the same views. We’ve been in contact with Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Americans. We're both holding discussions and conducting serious evaluations,” he said.
Fidan also warned the YPG terrorist group not to exploit the chaos in southern Syria, referencing recent reports of YPG mobilization during the Sweida clashes.
In its 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, infants and the elderly. YPG is the PKK’s offshoot in Syria.
“Our message to them is clear: don’t attempt to exploit this chaos and trigger an undesirable situation,” he said. “Don’t make an already fragile and critical process even more difficult in Syria. Play a stabilizing and constructive role. Otherwise, opportunism will bring major risks.”
Fidan emphasized the importance of a unified Syrian state and called for the central authority in Damascus to assert control over the country.
“If small pockets begin to emerge and a fragmented Syria takes shape, that would mean continued chaos. We cannot accept that,” he said. “As I’ve said, we are working with our close partners in the region, and also with the U.S. Hopefully, within the next three to four hours, we will enter a period of calm and cease-fire.”
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