Erdogan: Turkey won't abandon Syria, won't accept Israel's 'red lines'

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared that Turkey will not abandon its allies in Syria and will not permit any external power to dictate its foreign policy, following recent Israeli airstrikes on the Abu al-Duhur military airbase in northern Syria. Israel claimed the strikes were a response to Turkey's alleged plans to deploy air defence systems, a move Israeli officials have previously described as a 'red line.'

Both Turkish and Syrian officials have denied these deployment plans, stating that Turkish personnel were present solely for runway and tower repairs, a position supported by US Ambassador Tom Barrack. Erdogan, speaking after a cabinet meeting, criticized what he termed "politically moribund, presumptuous incompetents" for stoking tensions, implying these actions were to bolster domestic support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of upcoming elections.

Erdogan emphasized Turkey's commitment to supporting its neighbours and stated that "no actor other than the nation itself can dictate Turkey's course or set the boundaries of its foreign policy." He also asserted that Turkey's regional objectives are solely peace, justice, stability, and security, refuting claims of a hidden agenda against Israel.

Adding to the diplomatic friction, Turkey's Ministry of Justice has requested Interpol to issue Red Notices for Netanyahu and another Israeli official on genocide charges. This request stems from proceedings related to Israel's actions against activists aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza.