Fidan says Turkey not seeking 'any confrontation' with Israel over Syria
“Syrian security should be decided by the Syrians,” Fidan said, including whether Damascus wants to reach understandings with the Israelis.
ANKARA — Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Friday that Turkey does not want a confrontation with Israel over Syria, marking the first attempt to de-escalate tensions between the two regional powers after a recent flare-up.
“We don't want to see any confrontation with Israel in Syria because Syria belongs to Syrians,” Fidan told Reuters in an exclusive interview. “Syria doesn't belong to Turkey and Syria doesn't belong to Israel. We cannot talk on behalf of the Syrians.”
What happened: Tensions between Israel and Turkey escalated this week following Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday that targeted nearly a dozen military sites in Syria, including a strategic military base in Homs. On Thursday, officials from the two countries accused each other of destabilizing the region in strongly worded statements.
Fidan's remarks were a veiled response to Israel Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who on Thursday accused Turkey of interventionism in Syria. "They are doing their utmost to have Syria as a Turkish protectorate," Saar said during a visit to Paris. "It's clear that is their intention."
