Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has criticised Israel’s role in recent conflicts in Sweida, Syria, highlighting Türkiye’s concerns over external interference in Syrian affairs.
"One of the main actors behind this dark picture (of Suwayda events) has turned out to be Israel," Fidan said during a joint press conference with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al Shaibani in Ankara on Wednesday.
He also emphasised Türkiye’s vision for a post-conflict Syria, noting: "The new Syria should be a Syria where all peoples, beliefs, and cultures are preserved, and can live together. As Türkiye, we are making our recommendations in this direction."
Fidan warned that Ankara is witnessing developments it can no longer tolerate.
"Terrorist YPG members have not left Syria; they should not think we do not see this," he said.
The minister called on the YPG to immediately end its threat to Türkiye and the region, urging them and their foreign recruits to leave Syrian territory without delay.
Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al Shaibani highlighted the ongoing foreign interventions in Syria, describing some as “direct and seeking to weaken the Syrian state and create a fragile division”.
He also said the Druze community remains an integral part of Syrian society, dismissing Israeli claims suggesting otherwise.
“There is no intent to exclude them (Druze community) in any way,” he said. “What happened in Sweida was instigated by Israel to sow sectarian discord in the region,” he added.
“We share many common interests and threats with Türkiye, and caution against supporting chaos in Syria,” he added.
Al Shaibani said that he considered the “Hasakah Conference,” held by the components of northeastern Syria, a violation of the agreement signed on March 10 with the terrorist organisation YPG.
On March 10, the Syrian presidency announced the signing of an agreement for the integration of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) into state institutions, reaffirming the country's territorial unity and rejecting any attempts at division.
The SDF is dominated by the terrorist group YPG, the Syrian branch of the terrorist PKK.
The Syrian government has been intensifying security efforts since last year’s ouster of Bashar al Assad after 24 years in power.
Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.
A new transitional administration led by President Ahmad al Sharaa was formed in January.
