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Türkiye on Friday reaffirmed its support for Syria’s territorial integrity, unity, and sovereignty, expressing readiness to help restore calm in the war-ravaged country.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan held a phone call with his Syrian counterpart, Asaad al-Shaibani, to discuss the escalating violence in southern Syria, diplomatic sources said.
Fidan stressed that Türkiye is closely following developments and opposes Israel’s intervention in the conflict. He said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government must halt actions that threaten regional stability and the future of the Syrian people.
Clashes are ongoing in the western and northern parts of Sweida province between Bedouin tribal fighters and armed Druze groups. The violence erupted Sunday as skirmishes between the two sides, drawing in Syrian regime forces. Dozens of regime soldiers were later killed in retaliatory attacks by Druze militias.
A cease-fire was briefly brokered after the escalation but quickly collapsed.
Israel, citing the protection of Druze communities, stepped up its military campaign across Syria, launching airstrikes on four provinces. On Wednesday, Israeli warplanes struck the General Staff headquarters and the presidential palace in Damascus.
On Thursday night, the Syrian presidency announced a new deal brokered by Arab and American mediators. Under the agreement, regime troops began withdrawing from Sweida to ease tensions.
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