Turkish FM says Ankara 'ready to intervene' against any attempt to partition Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on 22 July that Turkiye will “intervene” if any group attempts to divide Syria, warning that Israel’s destabilizing actions in Suwayda and Damascus pose a “direct threat” to Ankara’s national security.

“We could never stay silent against such a move,” Fidan told reporters in Ankara during a joint press conference with his Salvadorian counterpart, Alexandra Hill. 

“Israel is unwilling to see a stable country around itself and aims to divide Syria with the violent unrest in southern Suwayda province.”

Fidan described the recent clashes between Druze groups and government-aligned Bedouin Arab tribes as a direct result of Israeli interference. 

“Israel is seeking to drag the region to chaos to preserve its status,” he said, adding that the only viable solution was military intervention by Syria’s central government to halt the violence.

On 13 July, violent clashes erupted between armed Druze factions and Bedouin tribes in Suwayda. Three days later, Israeli strikes targeted the Syrian presidential palace, Defense Ministry, and General Staff headquarters.

Fidan confirmed that Turkiye played a key role in establishing the ceasefire following the Israeli air raids on Suwayda, Deraa, and Damascus, accusing Israel of sabotaging all regional efforts to stabilize Syria.

“The whole international community and regional actors strive for Syria not to become a state hosting terrorism or the source of migration, while Israel sabotages all initiatives for stability and security,” Fidan said.

Turkiye, he continued, is “one of the countries most negatively affected by regional problems and terrorism in terms of security,” but remains committed to pursuing stability through diplomacy. “All our relations with Iraq, Syria, and Iran are developing in this way.”

He warned all actors in Syria to avoid stoking tensions. 

“No group should attempt to divide. We have much to discuss through diplomacy.”

The warning follows Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s statement on 20 July that Ankara will not abandon self-appointed Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and will oppose any attempts to fragment the country. 

“Israel does not want stability in the region,” Erdogan said. “It believes that a unified Syria would not be in its interest and continues with such provocations.”

Source: https://thecradle.co/