Turkey condemns Israel as "greatest threat to peace" in West Asia amid escalating Syria strikes

By bellecarter // 2025-04-07

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Turkey's Foreign Ministry labeled Israel the "greatest threat" to regional stability after Israeli airstrikes in Syria killed at least 11 people, calling the attacks unprovoked aggression.
Ankara accused Israel of expansionist policies, undermining Syrian sovereignty, and acting as a "strategic destabilizer" in West Asia, while also criticizing Israeli officials' "extremist and racist" rhetoric.
Israel's strikes targeted key sites like the Hama and T4 airbases, reportedly as a warning against Turkey's growing military presence in Syria, which Israel views as a security threat.
Longstanding tensions, rooted in incidents like the 2010 Mavi Marmara clash, have worsened due to Israel's actions in Palestine and Turkey’s support for Hamas, despite maintained economic ties.
The conflict reflects broader rivalries, with Turkey aligning with Arab and Muslim-majority nations against Israel's strikes (often targeting Iran-backed groups), while pragmatic energy cooperation persists.

On April 3, Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a scathing condemnation of Israel, labeling it the "greatest threat" to regional stability following a series of Israeli airstrikes in Syria that killed at least 11 people. The attacks, which targeted military sites near Damascus, Hama and Palmyra on April 2, were described by Ankara as unprovoked aggression that fuels regional turmoil. (Related: Israel bombs Syrian military sites in warning to Turkey amid rising tensions.) The statement accused Israel of pursuing expansionist policies, undermining Syrian sovereignty and exacerbating tensions at a time when diplomatic efforts for peace in Syria and Lebanon have gained momentum. The escalating rhetoric marks a deepening rift between the two nations, even as economic ties, particularly in energy, remain intact. In a sharply worded statement, Turkey's Foreign Ministry accused Israel of being a "strategic destabilizer" in West Asia, asserting that its military actions threaten the territorial integrity of neighboring states. "Israel has become the foremost threat to the security of our region through its attacks on the territorial integrity and national unity of the regional countries," the ministry declared. The statement further criticized Israel's recent airstrikes in Syria, which destroyed the Hamas military airport and struck the T4 airbase near Palmyra, as part of a broader pattern of aggression. The ministry also condemned provocative remarks by Israeli officials targeting Turkey, framing them as reflective of an "extremist and racist" government mindset. Ankara dismissed Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar's accusation that Turkey seeks to turn Syria into a "protectorate," countering that such rhetoric was an attempt to divert attention from Israel's military campaigns in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

Strategic stakes in Syria

The latest Israeli strikes come amid reports that Turkey is expanding its military footprint in Syria, including plans to take control of the T4 airbase and install a multi-layered defense system. Israeli media suggested the bombings were a direct warning to Ankara. "We will not allow you to establish a presence in Syria," unnamed officials told the Jerusalem Post. Turkey's growing involvement in Syria has long been a point of contention. While Ankara supports certain opposition groups and seeks to counter Kurdish militias, Israel views Turkish influence as a threat to its own security interests, particularly given Turkey's alignment with regional rivals like Iran. The T4 airbase, previously used by Russian and Iranian forces, holds strategic value for both nations. The tensions between Turkey and Israel are not new but have intensified since the 2010 Mavi Marmara incident, in which Israeli forces killed Turkish activists aboard a Gaza-bound aid flotilla. Despite a brief reconciliation in 2016, relations soured again over Israel's treatment of Palestinians and Turkey's support for Hamas. The current escalation also reflects broader regional rivalries. Israel's frequent airstrikes in Syria – often targeting Iranian-backed militias – have drawn condemnation from multiple Arab and Muslim-majority nations. Turkey's vocal opposition aligns it with this bloc, even as it maintains pragmatic ties with Israel, such as the continued flow of Azerbaijani oil to Israeli ports via Ceyhan. As Turkey and Israel trade accusations, the risk of further military confrontation looms. Ankara's call for international intervention underscores the growing frustration with Israel's unchecked military campaigns, while Israel's strikes signal its determination to counter perceived threats, whether from Iran or Turkey. Head over to Chaos.news for more stories about conflicts around the world. Watch the video below that shows the Israeli embassy being set on fire in Turkey. This video is from the Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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Strategic stakes in Syria

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