Syria, Turkey, Jordan demand end to Israeli attacks
In a joint Ankara meeting, Syria, Turkey, and Jordan call on "Israel" to halt its strikes on Syria and withdraw troops, warning of regional escalation.
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Debris is scattered at the site of an Israeli strike on a military airbase near Hama, Syria, Thursday, April 3, 2025 (AP)
The foreign ministers of Turkey and Jordan and the interim FM of Syria held a joint meeting in Ankara on Monday, issuing a unified call for an end to Israeli attacks on Syrian territory and the full withdrawal of occupation forces from the country.
Since the ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, "Israel" has conducted hundreds of airstrikes across Syria, frequently targeting military infrastructure and reportedly killing dozens. In recent statements, Israeli officials have justified the escalation by labeling Syria’s transitional government as “jihadists” while claiming to protect the Druze minority.
At a press conference following the meeting, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan condemned the Israeli regime's actions, warning that its “expansionism poses a significant threat to the security, stability, and future of Syria.”
Fidan emphasized the importance of supporting Syria in order to prevent the entrenchment of terrorist organizations, citing the nearly 900-kilometer shared border between the two countries.
'Borders constantly violated'
Syrian interim Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani echoed the concerns, stating, “Our borders are constantly violated by Israeli attacks.” He characterized the strikes as “calculated escalations aimed at destabilising Syria and dragging the region into a new cycle of conflict,” accusing "Israel" of committing systematic violations of international law and provocations.
Al-Shibani called on the international community to intensify pressure on "Israel" to halt its operations and respect Syria’s sovereignty.
Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi added that “attacks on Syrian soil will not bring security to Israel and will bring nothing to Syria except ruin and destruction,” reaffirming regional opposition to the ongoing bombardments.
The rare tripartite meeting marks a joint diplomatic push by Syria’s neighbors to rein in Israeli military interference and stabilize the post-Assad regime.
Syria engages 'Israel'
Syrian media have reported secret meetings between Syrian businessmen and Israeli officials in a European capital, according to the Israeli outlet i24.news. The developments suggest that Syria’s new leadership, under transitional President Ahmad al-Sharaa, may be exploring diplomatic overtures toward "Israel" despite heightened hostilities and occupation of Syrian territories.
According to journalist Atta Farhat, based in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, the meetings brought together Syrian intellectuals and business figures with Israeli political representatives. The discussions were described as attempts to present al-Sharaa’s perspective toward "Israel," including a possible intent to improve relations under a new leadership agenda.
Farhat stated that al-Sharaa appears to be seeking ways to demonstrate his desire for peace and “good neighborly relations” with the Israeli regime, even as "Israel" maintains its occupation of Syrian lands and escalates military actions.