Jordan, Turkey, Syria FMs slam 'Israeli expansionism' after Ankara meeting
Jordanian, Turkish and Syrian top diplomats have criticized Israeli attacks on Syria.
ANKARA — Turkish, Jordanian and Syrian foreign ministers discussed cooperation on security and other fields in Ankara on Monday, with Israeli attacks on Syria topping the agenda.
“When we briefly summarize the problems Syria is currently facing, there is the issue of Israeli expansionism. This has truly reached a point where it threatens Syria’s stability, security, and future,” said Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, flanked by his Jordanian and Syrian counterparts, Ayman Safadi and Asaad al-Shibani.
“As the regional countries, we share a joint view that this expansionism and provocation must come to an end as soon as possible,” he added.
The trilateral meeting followed a series of fresh Israeli airstrikes on and around Damascus last week that killed at least two people, according to the Syrian side. Turkey is Damascus' closest ally, and Israel sees that alliance as a growing security threat.
Safadi, in turn, described the Israeli attacks as among the top issues that threaten Syria’s future.
“Syria is not currently posing a threat to Israel’s security,” Safadi said, speaking through a translator. “Israeli intervention is a major danger.”
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa confirmed on Thursday that his country has entered United Arab Emirates-mediated indirect talks with Israel aimed at reducing tensions.
Syrian Foreign Minister Shibani for his part said that Israel has justified its airstrikes under the pretext of "self-defense," but that the attacks are dragging the region into a new cycle of chaos.
Combating ISIS
Turkey, Syria and Jordan are also part of a Turkish-led five-country mechanism, which includes Iraq and Lebanon, aimed at addressing security issues related to Syria through regional cooperation, particularly on the fight against the Islamic State group.
"Preventing terrorist organizations from exploiting the situation in Syria is also a serious priority,” Fidan said, adding that combating ISIS has “particular importance.”
“We discussed what concrete steps we can take and what actions we can pursue," Fidan said, without elaborating.
The five-country mechanism last month decided to set up a joint command center in Damascus as part of counterterrorism efforts, but it remains unclear if the center has been established.
ISIS still has an estimated 7,000 members in Syria and Iraq, with half of them believed to be fighters, according to European Union 2024 statistics.
