Turkey Accuses Israel of Attempting to Sabotage Syrian ‘Revolution’

Antalya, Turkey – 12 April 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused Israel of trying to “dynamite” the Syrian uprising that ousted long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad, by exploiting ethnic and religious divides to destabilise the country’s new leadership.

Erdoğan’s Allegations

Speaking at a diplomacy forum in Antalya on Friday, President Erdoğan said:

“Israel is attempting to undermine the 8 December revolution by igniting ethnic and sectarian tensions and turning minorities against the legitimate Syrian government.”

Turkey has thrown its weight behind Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power following the fall of Assad in December. Sharaa is a prominent figure in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist-led coalition that played a central role in the regime’s overthrow.

Diplomatic Engagements

Sharaa, visiting Turkey for the second time since assuming office, held bilateral discussions with Erdoğan in Antalya. The Turkish Presidency released an image of the two leaders shaking hands.

A statement from Syria’s Foreign Ministry noted:

Turkey reaffirmed its support for the Syrian people, especially in reconstruction efforts and in pushing for the lifting of Western economic sanctions.

Talks also included proposals for cooperation across various sectors, ranging from security to economic development.

Sharaa later met Qatar’s Foreign Minister and commented:

“These meetings aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation and coordinate on regional matters to serve mutual interests and promote stability.”

Tensions with Israel: Background and Recent Developments

Israel has long expressed concern over HTS’s dominance in post-Assad Syria, labelling the group as jihadist and threatening to regional stability.

Since December 2024, Israel has escalated military actions in Syria, including:

Erdoğan said these actions threatened the fragile recovery of the Syrian state:

“Israel is becoming a destabilising force in the region, especially with its persistent attacks on Syria and Lebanon.”

He warned that Israel’s actions were impeding regional efforts to defeat Islamic State remnants and might push Syria into a “new vortex of instability.”

Ongoing Turkish–Israeli Talks

Despite tensions, Turkish and Israeli officials held a preliminary technical meeting in Azerbaijan this week aimed at reducing the risk of direct military confrontation.

According to Turkish Defence Ministry sources:

Turkey seeks to establish military posts inside Syrian territory, including in the T-4 airbase in Homs province—recently targeted by Israeli strikes.

The dialogue, however, is not an indication of rapprochement, particularly in light of Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated:

“We are not moving towards normalisation. These discussions are to avoid direct clashes and keep lines of communication open.”

Wider Regional Implications

Erdoğan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing an aggressive regional agenda. He particularly condemned a pre-dawn Israeli airstrike in Gaza on Friday, which reportedly killed 10 members of a single family.

Turkey has responded by suspending all trade with Israel, and Erdoğan reiterated his stance:

“We will not stand by while genocide and barbarism continue in Gaza.”

Regional Dynamics Snapshot