Turkey does not want a confrontation with Israel in Syria and believes decisions about the country’s security should be left to the Syrians, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Friday in Brussels, according to a Reuters video interview.
“We don’t want to see any confrontation with Israel in Syria because Syria belongs to the Syrians,” Fidan told reporters on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting. “If they want to partner with certain countries, with certain international communities, they’re welcome to. If they want to have certain understandings with the Israelis, you know, it’s their business.”
Fidan also criticized Israel’s ongoing strikes in Syria, which have increased since the administration of President Ahmed al-Sharaa — viewed as a Turkish ally — took power in Damascus. He said Israeli attacks were undermining Syria’s ability to defend itself against ISIS and other threats.
“Basically, what Israel is doing in Syria is not only threatening the security of Syria, but is also paving the way for the future instability of the region,” Fidan said. “I don’t think that it’s good for Israel’s future in the region.”
Turkey has condemned Israel’s military actions as violations of Syrian sovereignty, while Israel has said it will not tolerate any hostile actors operating near its borders.