Israeli attacks threaten Syria's stability: Turkish foreign minister

Türkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday that Israeli attacks in Syria are among the greatest threats to the country's stability, and accused Tel Aviv of escalating violence across the region.

"Israel's attacks targeting Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity are among the greatest threats to the country's stability," Fidan said, speaking at a joint news conference in Ankara with Syrian counterpart Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani after talks.

Fidan said Damascus contributed to preserving stability in the region throughout the US-Israeli war on Iran, and that protecting Syria's security and stability is a shared responsibility of all countries in the region.

He said the international community should respond more strongly to Israel's occupation policy and exert the necessary pressure to ensure compliance with the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and respect for Syria's sovereignty.

Fidan said Türkiye and Syria have been maintaining close coordination through regular contacts between officials and ongoing cooperation has contributed to greater stability in Syria and deeper bilateral ties. He expressed hope that the positive momentum would benefit both countries and the wider region.

He said Türkiye and Syria share not only a border of more than 900 kilometers (about 560 miles), but also a common history, culture and future, adding that the prosperity and stability of the two countries cannot be viewed separately.

Fidan said stronger security in Syrian cities such as Damascus and Aleppo would have positive effects in Turkish cities including Gaziantep, Mersin and Istanbul, while instability anywhere in Syria would also pose a threat to Türkiye.

He said Türkiye would further deepen cooperation and coordination with Syria in counterterrorism, defense and security, stressing that completing Syria's ongoing integration process without interruption remains a priority for Ankara.

He said the integration of all armed groups and formations into a central and legitimate national structure is essential for Syria's unity and the stability of the region.

Gaza peace plan

Referring to the recent deal on the Gaza peace plan, Fidan said Israel's continued attacks “have once again shown that (Israeli Premier Benjamin) Netanyahu does not want peace.”

Fidan said the roadmap for the second phase of the Gaza peace plan had been agreed upon and announced by US President Donald Trump, but Israel continued its attacks.

"We are seeing that the Netanyahu government has intensified its acts of terror in the West Bank and Jerusalem," he added.

Fidan also welcomed statements indicating a possible return to negotiations between the US and Iran, expressing hope that a ceasefire would be restored as soon as possible and that the Strait of Hormuz would reopen. Türkiye would continue contributing to those efforts, he said.

He said Israel aims to sabotage peace efforts and separate Palestinians from Gaza, but added that "Netanyahu will not succeed in this policy" and “Gazans will continue living in Gaza and building their future there.”

Fidan said there is no alternative to making the ceasefire in Gaza permanent, advancing to the second phase of the peace plan and launching the territory's reconstruction process.

Recalling a ministerial meeting on Jerusalem hosted by Jordan a day earlier, Fidan said participants discussed collective measures against Israeli actions targeting Al-Aqsa Mosque, voiced strong opposition to violations of the historic status quo of Muslim holy sites in Jerusalem and reaffirmed support for Jordan in its role as the legal custodian of those sites.

He said stability and security in Lebanon remain critical for regional peace, welcomed steps toward normalization and expanded cooperation between Syria and Lebanon. Syria, the foreign minister added, is increasingly becoming "a source of solutions rather than problems" in the region.