Erdoğan Accuses Israel of Destabilizing Syria Amid Rising Tensions

Antalya, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has strongly criticized Israel for what he described as efforts to destabilize Syria, during a speech at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on Turkey’s southern coast. His remarks come just days after Turkish and Israeli officials held rare talks aimed at easing mounting tensions over military activities in Syrian territory.

“Turkey will not allow Syria to be dragged into a new vortex of instability,” Erdoğan told the gathering, directly accusing Israel of trying to undermine the December 8 revolution — a reference to the insurgency that ousted former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after decades of autocratic rule.

“We are in close dialogue and in common understanding with all influential actors in the region, especially Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin, regarding the preservation of Syria’s territorial integrity and stability,” Erdoğan added.

The high-profile forum was attended by key regional stakeholders, including Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who met with Erdoğan on the sidelines of the conference. According to the Turkish presidency, Erdoğan reaffirmed Ankara’s support for lifting sanctions on Syria and welcomed the fact that “those who want chaos in Syria to occur again are not given an opportunity.”

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have intensified in recent weeks, particularly following a series of Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military installations, including bases in Hama and Homs provinces. The Turkish military reportedly assessed infrastructure at these sites for potential use under a proposed joint defense agreement with Damascus.

Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz called the airstrikes “a clear message and warning for the future.” Israeli forces have conducted numerous strikes in Syria since Assad’s flight to Moscow four months ago, targeting missile systems and air defense assets that were expected to be inherited by the transitional Syrian government.

Assad’s departure marked the end of over five decades of dynastic rule and brought a halt to a protracted civil war that had devolved into a frozen regional proxy conflict. In the post-Assad landscape, Turkey has emerged as a key ally of Syria’s transitional government, led by President Sharaa, and is reportedly negotiating a defense pact that could see Turkish troops stationed on Syrian soil with access to Syrian airspace.

Meanwhile, Israel has reinforced its presence in the Golan Heights and expanded it into a buffer zone, sparking further diplomatic friction. Earlier this month, Israeli forces launched a rare ground incursion into the Daraa countryside south of Damascus, with Syrian media reporting nine civilian casualties.

Adding to tensions, an Israeli tour company has reportedly begun offering hiking tours in the Mount Hermon region in coordination with Israeli troops, signaling long-term military entrenchment.

Despite these developments, there has been a cautious move towards dialogue. Less than a week after the airstrikes, senior security and diplomatic officials from Israel and Turkey met in Azerbaijan to discuss de-escalation. Both sides agreed to maintain open channels of communication to preserve regional stability.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the need for a “deconfliction mechanism” with Israel in Syria, akin to those in place with the United States and Russia. “Technical teams from both sides are in contact when needed to prevent combat elements from misunderstanding each other,” he told CNN Türk.

Analysts view the diplomatic engagement as a critical step toward avoiding unintended military confrontations between Turkey and Israel in Syria. “Both countries are militarily involved in Syria, and that could spiral in multiple directions,” said Aron Lund of Century International, a New York-based think tank. “Clear red lines and communication channels are essential. This seems to be a move in the right direction.”

As regional dynamics shift rapidly, Turkey and Israel’s ability to manage their competing interests in Syria could be pivotal in determining the future stability of the war-torn nation.