Erdogan condemns Israeli aggression in Syria, vows to block partition and 'David corridor'
ALBAWABA-Ankara – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan launched a sharp attack on Israel over its recent military actions in Syria, accusing it of expanding 'thuggery and looting' under the pretext of protecting the Druze community.
In his remarks yet on the Syrian file, Erdoğan warned that Turkey would never allow the partition of Syria or the establishment of what he referred to as the 'Corridor of David.'
'Israel is a terrorist state without law, without principle, and without limits,' Erdoğan said in a televised speech. 'Over the past two days, it has extended its aggression to our neighbor Syria, using the Druze issue as a pretext to justify its expansionist ambitions.'
Erdoğan's remarks come just hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly defended Israel's air campaign in southern Syria, vowing to prevent the militarization of areas south of Damascus and claiming that Syrian regime forces had massacred Druze civilians in violation of previous demilitarization agreements.
❝We did not consent to fragmentation of Syria yesterday, and we will certainly not consent to it today or tomorrow❞
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israel of using Syria's Druze population as a pretext for aggression https://t.co/8YVxxHaru0 pic.twitter.com/MIP3nkDyud — Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) July 17, 2025
In response, Erdoğan strongly rejected any justification for Israeli strikes inside Syria, warning regional actors against aligning themselves with Israel.
'Whoever descends into the well with Israel's rope will soon realize the grave mistake they have made,' Erdoğan warned. 'Those who seek a secure future through persecution and massacres should remember that we are the rightful owners of this land—they are only transients.'
The Turkish leader reiterated Ankara's longstanding opposition to any effort to divide Syria and emphasized Turkey's role as a guarantor of regional stability.
'We did not accept the partition of Syria yesterday, and we certainly won't accept it today or tomorrow,' Erdoğan said. 'Our position is clear: we support the territorial integrity, national unity, and multicultural identity of Syria.'
In a notable first, Erdoğan publicly referenced the so-called 'David Corridor,' a term used to describe a perceived Israeli-backed territorial route stretching from southern Syria into pro-Israel-controlled areas. He declared that Turkey would not permit its creation under any circumstances.
'Those dreaming of establishing a corridor in southern Syria will not realize their ambitions, God willing. Turkey will never allow it,' Erdoğan said.
Erdoğan also addressed the Kurdish issue, affirming that Syrian Kurds are Turkey's 'true brothers,' just like Kurds within Turkey's own borders. He warned against any attempts to exploit them for foreign interests.
'We will not allow our Kurdish brothers to be turned into appetizers on the Zionist table,' he said. The Turkish president also expressed confidence in Syria's future under the leadership of what he called 'my dear brother Ahmad al-Sharaa,' adding that a stable Syria would be a stabilizing force for the region.
'Syria will overcome these hardships with wise leadership. A stable Syria benefits all neighboring countries; otherwise, instability will burden everyone,' he noted.
He concluded by revealing that Turkey's ministries and intelligence agencies have maintained open channels of communication with their Syrian counterparts since the onset of recent escalations, indicating a more pragmatic security posture behind the scenes despite political tensions.
The Turkish remarks followed statements from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, who justified IDF strikes on Syrian forces, claiming they were necessary to protect Druze civilians and maintain a demilitarized buffer zone.
'Peace is achieved through strength, not requests,' Netanyahu declared. 'We will not allow Syrian military forces south of Damascus, nor will we tolerate threats to the Druze in Jabal al-Druze.'
Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz added a more controversial note, saying:
'I don't trust [Syrian commander] Golani. He relies on jihadist factions to attack minorities, and tomorrow he might turn them against Israeli communities in the Golan Heights.'
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