Turkish president says Ankara shows ‘no negligence, hesitation’ in defense of its borders, airspace

ISTANBUL

Türkiye shows no “negligence or hesitation in ensuring the security of our borders and airspace,” President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Addressing an event in Ankara, Erdogan said "at a time when Türkiye’s struggle for peace in the region has been crystal clear since day one, no one should adopt misguided stance that undermines principles of neighborliness and brotherhood.”

Stressing Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts regarding the crisis in the region, he said “we will continue our multi-dimensional diplomacy with the aim of preventing further bloodshed in our region and ensuring that no more innocent people are torn from life.”

Regarding Wednesday's incident when a munition fired from Iran toward Turkish airspace was intercepted by NATO defense units, Erdogan said Ankara showed its “sensitivity,” and issued the “necessary warnings” to prevent a similar incident from reoccurring.

“We emphasized the importance of recognizing Türkiye's friendship and its value,” the president said.

“Should a threat to our country's security arise, we will take all necessary measures with the utmost care in coordination with our allies,” he added.

He said that just as in the Russia-Ukraine war, Türkiye is doing “whatever it takes to protect our country and our nation from all dangers in the Iran crisis.”

“We are pursuing a sensitive policy that prioritizes the security of 86 million people. God willing, we will maintain this stance to the end.”

The president also mentioned his phone calls with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, French President Emmanuel Macron and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Thursday, in which he condemned Iran's drone attack on Azerbaijani exclave Nakhchivan.

Tensions have surged in the Middle East after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran starting Feb. 28, killing over 1,000 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and more than 165 elementary schoolgirls. Israel has expanded the conflict against Hezbollah in Lebanon as well.

Iran has retaliated with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and US-linked sites in Gulf countries, disrupting energy routes.