Turkey and Israel accused each other of occupying Syrian territory in the wake of the recent regime change in Damascus.
On Monday, Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned Israel’s decision to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, territory it has occupied since 1967. The statement labeled Israel’s actions part of a broader “expansion of borders through occupation” and called for international action to halt what it described as illegal steps by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.
Turkey also accused Israel of violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, which ended hostilities with Syria, by advancing into separation zones and conducting airstrikes in Syrian territory.
“Israel’s ongoing actions seriously undermine efforts to bring peace and stability to Syria,” Turkey’s statement said.
Israel rejects the false statements made by the Turkish Foreign Ministry regarding Israel in relation to Syria.
The facts are the following:
Turkey has systematically encroached on Syrian territory, a process that began with military operations in 2016, 2018, and 2019, and…
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) December 17, 2024
Israel responded sharply on Tuesday, accusing Turkey of hypocrisy and noted systematic occupation of Syrian territory through military operations since 2016. Israel’s foreign ministry said Turkey controls about 15 percent of Syrian territory through armed proxies, such as the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, and has established infrastructure using Turkish currency, bank branches, and postal services.
“Turkey has systematically encroached on Syrian territory and supports jihadist forces that operate against Kurds,” the Israeli foreign ministry said. “There is no justification for the continuation of Turkish aggression and violence against Kurds in Syria.”
The Golan Heights dispute remains central to the disagreement, with Israel arguing the area is vital for its security and Turkey maintaining it is part of Syria under international law. Israel formally annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, a move not recognized by most of the international community, while Turkey views the area as occupied territory.
The exchange comes amid broader instability in Syria, following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad and competing claims over the country’s future governance. Both nations say they are pursuing their interests in the region, with Israel claiming it is focused on countering Iranian influence and Turkey pointing to its security concerns related to Kurdish groups.