Latest news with #Fidan
a day ago
- Politics
Turkey warns Kurdish and other groups in Syria against pursuing autonomy
ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday warned Kurdish and other groups in Syria against pursuing autonomy, stating that any attempt to divide Syria would be viewed as a direct threat to Turkey's national security and could prompt intervention. At a joint news conference with his Salvadoran counterpart in Ankara, where they discussed expanding relations, Fidan criticized Israel's recent intervention in Syria and urged factions not to exploit the unrest that unfolded in the south of the country for tactical gains, calling on them to integrate while preserving their cultural and religious identity. 'If you go beyond that and use violence to divide and destabilize, we will perceive it as a direct threat to our national security and intervene,' Fidan warned. 'Say whatever you want, make whatever demands you have — as long as it's not about division, we're ready to help. But if you cross that line, we won't leave ourselves exposed to threats,' he said. Turkey strongly supports Syria's interim government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, frequently stating its commitment to a unified Syrian state. It also backs an agreement reached between the interim administration and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, to integrate into Syria's national army. Fidan's comments come days after tensions escalated in southern Syria, with violent clashes erupting between Bedouin Arab tribes and Druze militias in Sweida province. The conflict triggered Israeli airstrikes on convoys of government forces in Sweida and struck the Ministry of Defense headquarters in central Damascus, which Israel justified as efforts to protect Druze communities. 'Trying to extract autonomy or independence from chaos built on blood and created with someone else's help is a perspective that leads nowhere,' Fidan said. 'Now is the time for integration. It's time for everyone to hold onto life while preserving their identity and beliefs.' Since 2016, Turkey has conducted multiple military operations in northern Syria to counter Kurdish fighters and secure its borders.
Shafaq News
a day ago
- Politics
- Shafaq News
Turkiye's Fidan: Israel aims to destabilize Syria
Shafaq News – Ankara On Tuesday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused Israel of seeking to undermine Syria's security and stability under the pretext of protecting the Druze minority. Speaking at a press conference in Ankara, Fidan criticized prominent Druze cleric Hikmat al-Hijri, describing him as acting 'like Israel's agent in the region' and rejecting any solution that could promote peace and stability. Fidan also urged unspecified parties in the region to stop acting 'as though they are proxies for neighboring states and Israel.' He said Turkiye is working with various parties in Syria to stabilize the country and counter what he called 'Israel's dangerous plans,' warning that any attempt by groups to sow division and destabilization through violence would be seen as a direct threat to Turkish national security. 'We will intervene,' Fidan added, stressing that Turkiye would not tolerate any attempt to fragment Syria's territorial integrity.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Turkey says it will intervene against any attempt to divide Syria
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan attends a press conference following a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow, Russia, May 27, 2025. Pavel Bednyakov/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo ANKARA - Turkey will directly intervene to stop any attempt to fragment Syria and will prevent any attempts by militants to obtain autonomy after clashes in southern Syria, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Tuesday. His warning against fragmentation, in comments to reporters in Ankara, appeared aimed at Israel as Turkey considers this to be Israel's ultimate aim in Syria. Turkey has condemned Israeli strikes on Damascus last week as an attempt to sabotage Syria's efforts to establish peace and security, and sees clashes between Druze fighters and Syrian Bedouin tribes in the southern province of Sweida as part of an Israeli policy of regional destabilisation. NATO member Turkey supports Syria's new government and has called for a ceasefire between the Bedouin and Druze fighters. Fidan said Israel wanted a divided Syria to make the country unstable, weaker and a liability to the region, and added that Kurdish YPG militants were looking to take advantage of the chaos. "God willing, we will prevent this policy from being realised," he said. In an apparent reference to the YPG, he said groups in Syria should not see such chaos as a tactical opportunity to achieve autonomy or independence within Syria and that they faced "a big strategic catastrophe". Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22 Singapore Two found dead after fire in Toa Payoh flat Singapore Singaporeans continue to hold world's most powerful passport in latest ranking Singapore Singapore, Vietnam agree to step up defence ties, dialogue among leaders Asia Malaysia govt's reform pledge tested as DAP chief bows over unresolved 2009 death of political aide Singapore Woman evacuated from lift in Supreme Court building after falling glass triggers emergency halt Singapore Prosecution says judge who acquitted duo of bribing ex-LTA official had copied defence arguments Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving "This leads nowhere," he said. Ankara sees the YPG, which spearheads the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, as a terrorist organisation, and has carried out several cross-border operations against them. "We are warning you: no group should engage in acts towards division," Fidan said. He said many issues could be discussed via diplomacy "but if you go beyond this and seek fragmentation and destabilising we will consider this a direct threat to our security and intervene." Fidan said Turkey would support efforts to secure peace and stability in Syria, and talks on this, but would not let itself be exposed to threats. Israel did not immediately comment on Fidan's remarks. It said it struck targets in Syria last week to defend the Druze. REUTERS
Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Ally Issues Ominous Warning Over Middle East War
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Turkey's foreign minister has warned that the NATO member country could intervene in Syria to deter what it sees as emerging threats to its national security following recent violence and Israeli military operations. Newsweek has reached out to the U.S. State Department, the Syrian government and the Israeli Prime Minister's office for comment. Why It Matters The threat highlights the danger of Syria becoming a direct battleground for the Middle East's major military powers. Turkey, which maintained a significant military presence in Syria throughout the civil war, remains entangled in a country that sits at the intersection of conflicts involving major Middle Eastern powers — Israel, Iran, and Turkey and also has a presence of ISIS. A broader regional war could also pull in the United States, which has backed Syria's interim leader in efforts to end the conflict, reshape alliances, and push for more peace treaties with Israel. Both Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are close to President Donald Trump, but they remain deeply at odds over Gaza and Syria. Syrian Druze people cross back into Syria as they walk at the Israeli-Syrian border, in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, Thursday, July 17, 2025. Syrian Druze people cross back into Syria as they walk at the Israeli-Syrian border, in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights town of Majdal Shams, Thursday, July 17, 2025. Leo Correa/AP Photo What To Know Turkey "views any attempt to divide Syria as a national security threat and would directly intervene" if necessary, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, blaming both Israel and armed Syrian factions for fueling unrest in Syria's Druze-majority south, according to Daily Sabah's website. "As Türkiye, we could never stay silent against such a move," Fidan was quoted as saying on Tuesday at a news conference with his El Salvadorian counterpart in Ankara. Israel launched airstrikes on government sites in Syria last week, citing the need to protect the Druze community after accusing the Syrian government forces of violence against the religious minority sect in the southwest — where hundreds of people were killed in clashes with Bedouin tribes in Suwayda. Israel's intervention marked a new escalation in its expanding military operations in Syria. "Israel is unwilling to see a stable country around itself and aims to divide Syria with the violent unrest in southern Suwayda province," Fidan said. Israel's actions in Syria have drawn sharp condemnation from Turkey, which supported a number of the rebel factions that participated in the operation to oust Assad, particularly the Syrian National Army. Israel has warned Turkey against using Syrian territory to launch attacks that could destabilize the region. What People Are Saying Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said, according to Türkiye Today's website: "If the groups in Syria move toward division and destabilization, Türkiye will consider it a direct threat to its national security and will intervene. Israel pursues a policy aimed at weakening its region and keeping it in chaos." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in April: "We don't want to see Syria being used by anyone, including Turkey, as a base for attack on Israel." What Happens Next The Syrian government has vowed accountability over the Suwayda incidents while a fragile U.S.-backed truce with Israel holds. Risks are growing of a bigger conflict.
News18
a day ago
- Politics
- News18
Turkiye warns Kurdish, other groups in Syria against pursuing autonomy
Ankara, Jul 22(AP) Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday warned Kurdish and other groups in Syria against pursuing autonomy, stating that any attempt to divide Syria would be viewed as a direct threat to Turkiye's national security and could prompt intervention. At a joint news conference with his Salvadoran counterpart in Ankara, where they discussed expanding relations, Fidan criticised Israel's recent intervention in Syria and urged factions not to exploit the unrest that unfolded in the south of the country for tactical gains, calling on them to integrate while preserving their cultural and religious identity. 'If you go beyond that and use violence to divide and destabilize, we will perceive it as a direct threat to our national security and intervene," Fidan warned. 'Say whatever you want, make whatever demands you have — as long as it's not about division, we're ready to help. But if you cross that line, we won't leave ourselves exposed to threats," he said. Turkiye strongly supports Syria's interim government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, frequently stating its commitment to a unified Syrian state. It also backs an agreement reached between the interim administration and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF, to integrate into Syria's national army. 'Trying to extract autonomy or independence from chaos built on blood and created with someone else's help is a perspective that leads nowhere," Fidan said. 'Now is the time for integration. It's time for everyone to hold onto life while preserving their identity and beliefs." Since 2016, Turkiye has conducted multiple military operations in northern Syria to counter Kurdish fighters and secure its borders. (AP) RD RD (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 22, 2025, 19:15 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
