Turkey’s defense ministry on Thursday condemned recent Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian capital of Damascus as a “clear provocation” that threatens regional peace and stability, while signaling a readiness to provide military support to the country if requested, the DHA news agency reported.
Israel’s airstrikes targeted several government buildings Wednesday, with authorities saying at least three people were killed. One video from a Syrian television station showed the Ministry of Defense building being hit live on air. Deadly clashes between Syrian security forces and the Druze, an Arab minority group, in a southern city triggered the military action from Israel, which resulted in a fragile ceasefire on Thursday.
Speaking at a weekly briefing in Ankara, Rear Admiral Zeki Aktürk, spokesperson for the Turkish Ministry of Defense, said Turkey was closely monitoring the recent escalation of hostilities in Syria and was ready to support the country.
“We are ready to provide all necessary support to strengthen Syria’s defense capacity and assist its fight against terrorism if there is a request,” Aktürk said, reiterating Ankara’s commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity.
Aktürk said Israeli airstrikes in southern Syria and most recently in Damascus constitute “an open provocation targeting hopes for peace and stability in the region.”
Aktürk added that Israel’s attacks “blatantly violate international law and reflect a dangerous approach that disregards regional peace, aims to spread conflict and drags the entire region into chaos.”
The truce followed an intervention from the US as well as the Israeli airstrikes, with Israel saying it was acting to protect the Druze. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa said the country was “not afraid of war” but had chosen to put its people “above chaos and destruction,” after his government announced the ceasefire with the Druze.
The ministry further confirmed that no damage was reported by Turkish troops stationed in Syria following the airstrikes.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry also slammed the Israeli strikes on Damascus, calling them an “act of sabotage” against Syria’s efforts to secure peace, stability and security.
Parliament joins condemnation
Meanwhile, Turkey’s parliament on Thursday adopted a motion denouncing Israel’s airstrikes on Syria as a flagrant breach of international law and an open violation of Syria’s territorial integrity, according to a report by the state-run Anadolu news agency.
The motion passed with support from lawmakers from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), the İYİ (Good) Party and the New Path Party. The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) abstained from the vote.
The lawmakers said that Israel’s actions serve to destabilize not only Syria but the entire region, warning that “the incomprehensible silence and inaction of the international community only emboldens Israel’s reckless aggression.”
The motion reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Syria’s sovereignty and territorial unity and expressed solidarity with the Syrian people, “who have suffered greatly for many years.” Parliament declared that peace and stability in Syria will also contribute to regional peace and stability, whereas the opposite “would only serve the interests of [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu and his team, who have built their existence on blood and conflict.”
The statement called on the international community to raise its voice and take concrete, effective measures against Israel’s destabilizing policies.
A rebel offensive led by Islamist insurgent groups ousted Syria’s longtime despotic leader, Bashar al-Assad, in December, bringing an end to a nearly 14-year civil war. Since then, the country’s new rulers have struggled to consolidate control.
The collapse of the regime of al-Assad has left a power vacuum and brought Turkey and Israel into direct proximity as neighboring players in the region.
Turkey’s influence in Syria has worried Israel, which has launched airstrikes and ground incursions to keep Syrian forces away from its border.
Turkey has close ties with the new Syrian government, led by al-Sharaa, who has visited Turkey several times since assuming office in January.