Türkiye has no intentions of conflict in Syria: FM Hakan Fidan

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan reiterated Wednesday that Türkiye has no intention of engaging in conflict with any country in Syria, including Israel.

Speaking during a live broadcast on CNN Turk, Fidan emphasized that Syria remains an independent country, and Türkiye seeks to maintain peace in the region. He stated, “As Türkiye, we have no intention of engaging in conflict with any country in Syria, not just Israel.”

Fidan discussed the effectiveness of a regional security platform that includes Syria, aimed at combating the terrorist organization Daesh. He condemned Israel for attempting to provoke conflict in Syria to further its expansionist ambitions, calling it “unacceptable.”

“We cannot allow Syria to once again face internal turmoil, operations, or provocations that threaten Türkiye’s national security. We will not simply watch,” Fidan added, reaffirming Türkiye’s position on safeguarding its interests without instigating conflict.

‘We have the intention and capacity’

When asked if Türkiye was preparing for further military engagement in Syria, Fidan expressed confidence in Syria’s potential to overcome its issues with Türkiye’s support. He stated, “First, we have the intention, then the capacity, and finally, we have the vision.”

Fidan also discussed Israel’s actions in Syria, noting that after the fall of the Baath regime and the departure of former leader Bashar al-Assad, Israel had systematically destroyed military components in Syria. He accused Israel of leaving nothing for future administrations and military forces in Syria.

“We will not openly attack any country that does not attack us. But if instability arises in a neighboring country that could harm us, we cannot remain passive. We will take steps, starting with diplomatic ones,” he said.

Tensions between Israel and Türkiye escalated recently after a series of Israeli airstrikes in Syria, including a recent strike on the Tiyas (T-4) airbase, where Türkiye is reportedly planning to establish a military facility. According to Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth, Israel aims to maintain air superiority in Syria amid what it views as a growing Turkish-backed presence.

Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on April 2, targeting several sites in Syria’s capital, Damascus, and the western provinces of Hama and Homs. Additionally, the Israeli army conducted a ground offensive in Daraa in southern Syria, where local authorities reported at least nine people were killed.

Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December, Israel has expanded its occupation of the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, a move that violated the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria. 

Assad, who had ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party’s control of the country after more than six decades in power.

Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led anti-regime forces to oust Assad, was declared president of a transitional government on Jan. 29.

Power struggle between US and Israel

Regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the U.S., Fidan stated that the U.S. needed to “set Netanyahu straight” concerning the Middle East, particularly Gaza and the Palestinian issue.

He remarked on the internal power struggle between Netanyahu and the U.S., saying, “Instead of the U.S. setting them straight, it is now them setting the U.S. straight. This is beyond a regional war. It’s a matter of who is the boss.”