Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has issued a sharp rebuke of Israel’s ongoing military operations in Syria, labeling them as provocative and warning that they jeopardize both regional stability and Israel’s own long-term security.

Speaking in an interview with Iraq’s UTV news channel, Fidan criticized Israel’s approach, arguing that its current strategy is shortsighted and risks creating greater threats.

“Israel is making assumptions about intentions,” Fidan stated. “Its current policy in Syria is a policy of provocation. Frankly, it’s not a policy that serves its own security, which I say from a strategic and security assessment perspective.” He acknowledged that Israel might be achieving short-term tactical successes but stressed that these come at the cost of a broader, self-inflicted strategic vulnerability. “The fact that it may be resolving some issues at a tactical level does not change the greater threat it is creating for itself at a strategic level,” he added.

Fidan underscored Syria’s non-threatening stance toward its neighbors, including Israel, and called on Tel Aviv to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “If Israel perceives a security problem related to itself, it should outline the parameters for this in a way that respects a state’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence,” he said.

The Turkish minister also warned against preemptive actions based on speculative threats, noting that such a precedent could destabilize the region further. “Saying ‘I read intentions, not now but maybe in 15 years they will become a threat to me, so let me go and occupy those areas’ creates a dangerous precedent. Then someone else will come and do the same to you,” he cautioned.

In a final appeal, Fidan urged Israel to reconsider its approach. “It’s important for Israel to act more responsibly here. An occupation policy is completely against Israel’s security. It’s a policy that will backfire. It’s a policy that will further destabilize Syria,” he concluded.

The comments come amid escalating tensions in the region, fueled by Israel’s intensified airstrikes and military interventions in Syria in recent months. Fidan’s statements reflect growing unease among regional powers over the potential fallout of Israel’s actions, raising questions about the broader implications for Middle Eastern stability. (ILKHA)