Erdogan Criticizes Israel and Threatens Opponents of His Policies in Syria
The Turkish president attempts to exploit geopolitical changes in the region to maintain his influence in Syria through claims of coordination with Washington and Moscow, ignoring his role in destabil
April 13, 2025, 10:29 pm

Erdogan Criticizes Israel and Threatens Opponents of His Policies in Syria

Photo credit: World Economic Forum on VisualHunt

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that his country will not stand idly by in the face of what he described as attempts aimed at destabilizing Syria, in statements carrying implicit threats of continued Turkish intervention in Syrian affairs.

In his opening speech at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Erdogan claimed Ankara's rejection of any interventions leading to the fragmentation of Syrian territorial unity, ignoring his forces' occupation of vast areas in northern Syria. He also claimed that he agrees on this framework with both US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Turkish president emphasized claims of a close connection between Syria's security and stability and Turkey's security and stability, in an attempt to justify his country's interventionist policies in Syrian affairs.

Erdogan referred to what he considered a "historic opportunity" that emerged after the fall of the Assad regime on December 8, to establish permanent peace in Syria and the region, forgetting his country's role in supporting armed groups.

Erdogan accused Israel of seeking to undermine regional stability, saying: "Israel is becoming a source of problems in the region through its aggressions on Syria and Lebanon, and is trying to undermine the December 8 revolution by fueling ethnic and religious differences and inciting Syrian minorities to oppose the government."

He also denounced what he described as "Israeli attempts to ignite sectarian and ethnic tensions," adding that this "undermines the region's fight against the Islamic State organization and threatens to return Syria to a new spiral of instability."

In a direct threat, Erdogan said: "Those who seek to return the Syrian people to suffering again must prepare to pay the price... We will not allow anyone to destabilize Syria, and its security is part of our security."

The Turkish president addressed the situation in Gaza, criticizing what he described as Israel's violation of human rights and trampling on international law, and committing genocide in the Strip, saying: "Israel is becoming more impudent with the world's silence and indifference... Silence about Israel's massacres is considered participation in these crimes."

Erdogan criticized the international system, saying: "The world is bigger than the five permanent member states of the Security Council," stressing that his country prefers dialogue over conflicts and common sense over polarization.

Erdogan's statements come amid rapid developments on the Syrian scene, continued regional tensions, and Turkey's attempts to maintain its influence in the region despite successive geopolitical changes.

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