Turkey seeks regional front against Israeli strikes in Syria

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan launched on Wednesday a comprehensive diplomatic initiative, reaching out to regional counterparts to coordinate a unified response to Israel’s attacks on government buildings in Damascus.

Fidan spoke with Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, conveying Ankara’s deep concerns over the Israeli strikes.

Minister Fidan also held a call with the US Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, stressing that both the Israeli attacks in Syria and the ongoing violence in Sweida must be brought to an immediate halt.

He also conducted discussions with his Jordanian and Saudi counterparts.

According to sources from the Turkish foreign ministry, Fidan and Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan al-Saud agreed that the attacks on Syria undermine efforts to restore stability in the country, emphasising that these aggressive actions must end without delay.

In recent years, Turkey has improved its relations with Riyadh, and they are increasingly standing together behind Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government. 

Israel has claimed the attacks were in retaliation for recent fighting between government forces and local groups in the Druze-majority city of Sweida.