FM Fidan calls Israel’s Syria policy ‘provocative’ in Iraqi interview

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan sharply criticized Israel’s military operations in Syria, calling them a “policy of provocation” that threatens regional stability during an interview with Iraq’s UTV channel.

“Israel is making assumptions about intentions,” Fidan said. “Israel’s current policy in Syria is a policy of provocation. Frankly, it’s not a policy that serves its own security, which I say from a strategic and security assessment perspective.”

Fidan warned that Israel’s approach could backfire despite achieving certain tactical objectives. “The fact that it may be resolving some issues at a tactical level does not change the greater threat it is creating for itself at a strategic level,” he said.

The foreign minister emphasized that Syria’s policy of not posing a threat to regional countries extends to Israel as well. He urged Israel to address its security concerns while respecting Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“If Israel perceives a security problem related to itself, it should outline the parameters for this in a way that respects a state’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence,” Fidan stated.

He rejected the logic of preemptive action based on potential future threats. “Otherwise, saying ‘I read intentions, not now but maybe in 15 years they will become a threat to me, so let me go and occupy those areas’ creates a dangerous precedent. Then someone else will come and do the same to you,” he said.

Fidan concluded with a call for a more responsible approach, stating: “It’s important for Israel to act more responsibly here. An occupation policy is completely against Israel’s security. It’s a policy that will backfire. It’s a policy that will further destabilize Syria.”