Arab News

DUBAI:  Turkey’s foreign minister and his Syrian counterpart on Wednesday warned Israel not to stir up chaos in Syria and demanded an end to all external interventions aimed at destabilising the war-torn country.

Speaking from Ankara, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shaibani said foreign actors were exacerbating the unrest within Syria. 

“We are also confronting multiple foreign interventions, both direct and indirect… (that) push the country toward sectarian and regional strife,” he said without giving details but warning against “any reckless attempts to exploit events here.”  

Al Shaibani also said his country is committed to holding accountable those responsible for any violations in the recent deadly violence that gripped the southwestern Druze-majority province of Sweida.  

Shaibani reiterated Damascus’s sentiments in assuring the Druze community that they are part of Syria and their protection is the responsibility of the state. He was accompanied by Syrian Defense Minister Marhaf Abu Qasra and intelligence chief Hussein Salameh during the visit.  

Speaking at the joint press conference with his Syrian counterpart, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also blamed Israel for its attempts to meddle in Syrian affairs.

“Certain actors are bothered by the positive developments in Syria,” Fidan said, referring to Israel and Kurdish YPG fighters operational in northeastern Syria. 

“Israel is currently one of the biggest actors in this dark picture,” he said of its ongoing military incursions since the overthrow of Syrian strongman Bashar al-Assad late last year. 

“The emergence of chaos in Syria… appears to have become a priority for Israel’s own national security,” he said. 

Fidan also said Syria is heading toward stability and developing constructive international relations. 

Al-Shaibani’s trip to Ankara is focused on enhancing cooperation between the two countries, enhancing security and developing economic investments. 

It comes a week after Fidan visited Damascus where he affirmed Turkiye’s support for Syria and called on the international community to shoulder responsibility in curbing Israeli aggression and occupation of Syrian lands.