Turkey, Israel not seeking Syria conflict, officials say

BRUSSELS/JERUSALEM,— Turkey does not seek conflict with Israel in Syria but warns that continued Israeli airstrikes on military sites are weakening the new government’s ability to maintain security, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday in comments to Reuters.

Speaking on the sidelines of a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, Fidan told Reuters that Israel’s actions were undermining regional stability by targeting Syria, whose new government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, is closely allied with Turkey.

“We do not want confrontation with Israel in Syria because Syria belongs to Syrians,” Fidan said. “It is up to the Syrian people to determine their own security.”

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have been high, particularly since 2023, when Ankara condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza as “genocide” and backed an international legal case against it. Turkey also halted all trade with Israel, further straining relations. Israel has denied the genocide allegations.

The conflict has spilled into Syria, where Israeli forces have been conducting airstrikes since the new government took power in Damascus.

Turkey has strongly opposed the strikes, calling them a violation of Syrian sovereignty. Israel, however, maintains that it will not allow hostile forces to gain a foothold in Syria.

During this transition period, Fidan warned that militant groups such as the Islamic State (ISIS) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) could exploit the situation due to gaps in military capabilities.

Turkey has never engaged in direct combat with the Islamic State and has faced accusations from several Western nations of providing support to ISIS and other extremist groups. Analysts and observers argue that Turkey is attempting to portray itself as a key adversary to ISIS, a narrative they consider misleading.

“Unfortunately, Israel is systematically destroying the very defense capabilities that Syria needs to combat ISIS and other terrorist threats,” he told Reuters. “This does not just endanger Syria’s security—it fuels instability throughout the region.”

Fidan acknowledged that any diplomatic agreements between Syria’s new government and Israel would be Damascus’ decision to make, saying, “If they reach certain understandings, that is their own business.”

Turkey’s Presence in Syria

While Turkey presents itself as an ally of Syria’s new government, its military and pro-Turkey Syrian Islamist mercenary militants control significant parts of Syrian territory. Turkey and its allied forces occupy large areas of Syrian Kurdistan (Rojava), the Kurdish region in northern Syria, including the Kurdish Afrin region. Turkish-backed forces also hold areas outside of the Kurdish-majority region, extending their presence into other parts of Syria.

Turkey has maintained a military presence in these areas since conducting cross-border operations against Kurdish groups, which it allegedly considers a security threat. Kurdish groups and human rights organizations have accused Turkey of displacing local populations and committing human rights violations.

Turkey’s Support for Syria’s New Government

Turkey has positioned itself as a key foreign ally of Syria’s new Islamist leadership. For years, Ankara backed the rebel Islamist factions that now form the core of the new administration after the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad.

Ankara has pledged to assist in rebuilding Syria, from infrastructure to government institutions, while advocating for the full removal of Western sanctions. Turkey has also provided political backing to the new Islamist administration on international platforms, calling for the recognition of Syria’s transition.

In December 2024 Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Syria’s new Islamist rulers are ‘gangs’, not a legitimate government.

Israel’s Position on Turkey’s Role in Syria

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli official, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, stated that Israel does not seek direct conflict with Turkey in Syria, despite recent escalations.

“We are not looking for a fight with Turkey, and we hope they aren’t looking for one with us,” the official said. “But we do not want to see Turkish military entrenchment near our border, and there are ways to address that.”

Turkey-U.S. Relations and Middle East Policy

Fidan also discussed Turkey’s diplomatic efforts with the United States. Following meetings with U.S. officials in Washington last week, he indicated that the administration of President Donald Trump is reassessing its policy on Syria, including existing sanctions.

“They are reviewing the Syria file and recognizing that sanctions were designed for a different government and a different threat landscape,” Fidan told Reuters. “Now, with a new Syria, a new approach is necessary.”

While Turkey is seeking improved relations with Washington, it has expressed opposition to certain U.S. policies in the Middle East, including a proposed plan to take control of Gaza and transform it into a major economic hub.

Fidan suggested that Trump’s problem-solving approach could help resolve long-standing disputes between Turkey and the U.S., including Washington’s sanctions on Turkey’s defense industry.

Regarding U.S.-Russia relations, Fidan said that any peace deal between Kyiv and Moscow would be “difficult to accept” but preferable to ongoing conflict.

He also warned against military escalation with Iran, stating that diplomacy should be prioritized to avoid further regional tensions.

(With files from Reuters)