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The Turkish Ministry of National Defense reiterated its readiness to support Syria in strengthening its defense capabilities and counterterrorism efforts, following a wave of Israeli airstrikes targeting the Syrian capital and southern regions.
"We had previously stated that if they request it, we would provide all possible support to strengthen Syria's defense capacity and support its fight against terrorism," Turkish Defense Ministry sources said during a weekly press briefing at the Special Forces Command on Thursday.
The reaffirmation came as Turkish Defense Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Zeki Akturk also described Israeli attacks on central Damascus as "a clear provocation targeting hopes for peace and stability in the region," while 11 nations led by Türkiye issued a joint condemnation of the strikes.
Following the briefing, ministry sources answered journalists' questions, emphasizing Ankara's continued operations against terrorist elements in northern Syria and its support for Syria’s territorial integrity.
"The Turkish Armed Forces continue their determined operations to prevent the formation of a terror corridor along our southern borders," the sources stated, adding, "Our stance on Syria is clear: a safe, stable, and united Syria is our goal."
"We had previously stated that if they request it, we would provide all possible support to strengthen Syria's defense capacity and support its fight against terrorism," Defense Ministry sources noted.
"Israel's airstrikes against Syria endanger peace and stability steps in the region. It is a provocation against Syria's unity and integrity," the ministry statement continued. "Israel must finally end its attacks that violate international law and drag the region into chaos."
The ministry sources lastly confirmed that no Turkish personnel or units stationed in Syria were affected by the recent Israeli airstrikes.
Rear Admiral Akturk condemned Israel's actions as violations of international law and warned that such moves risk plunging the region into irreversible chaos.
"Israel's attacks on the center of Damascus following its attacks on southern Syria are a clear provocation targeting hopes for peace and stability in the region," Akturk stated, adding: "After long-standing suffering, Syria has reached an important threshold on the path to living in peace and reintegrating with the international community."
"Israel, with its reckless and unrestrained behavior, is dragging the entire region toward instability and chaos," he said.
"These aggressions must cease immediately. Meanwhile, a humanitarian catastrophe continues in Gaza, with civilians left starving and subjected to mass killings," the Defense Ministry spokesperson added.
Akturk lastly reiterated Türkiye’s support for a two-state solution in Palestine: "We reaffirm our support for an independent, sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the 1967 borders."
Türkiye's U.N. Permanent Representative Ahmet Yildiz addressed an emergency U.N. Security Council session, stating that Israel's continued aggression directly undermines Syria's reconstruction efforts based on social harmony.
"Israel's ongoing aggression directly undermines Syria's reconstruction efforts based on social harmony. Its military interventions and provocative statements threaten the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity," Yildiz said during the session titled "Situation in the Middle East."
Yildiz emphasized that Syria has made remarkable progress since Dec. 8, demonstrating a commitment to inclusive political transition and national reconciliation despite numerous challenges, while Israel has continued uninterrupted attacks since that date.
"The Syrian people should not be deprived of the opportunity for peace," Yildiz stated, calling on the Security Council to unite in immediately stopping Israeli aggression, supporting Syrian administration efforts to establish calm in Sweida and prevent civilian casualties.
Tensions remain high in southern Syria following clashes between Bedouin Arab tribes and Druze armed groups in Sweida Province. After initial cease-fires failed, Israeli forces launched strikes against Syrian security units and government institutions.
Israeli airstrikes on July 16 targeted the Presidential Palace, General Staff Headquarters, and Ministry of Defense in Damascus, as well as sites in Sweida and Daraa, with reports suggesting hundreds may have been killed in the violence and Israeli bombardments.
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