Turkish foreign minister accuses Israel of destabilizing Syria

On September 13, 2026, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, currently visiting Syria, publicly accused Israel of attempting to destabilize the country. During a joint press conference, Fidan characterized Israel as the primary obstacle to regional peace, specifically citing the Israeli airstrikes on the Abu Duhur airbase in northwestern Syria that occurred approximately one month ago. The Syrian Foreign Minister, Asaad al-Shaibani, responded by emphasizing Damascus's continued commitment to pursuing a diplomatic solution to the ongoing regional tensions.

The tension stems from the attack on the Abu Duhur airbase, which rendered the facility inoperable. Israel justified the strike by alleging that Turkey was attempting to establish a military presence at the location. However, Ankara has officially denied maintaining any military footprint in that area. While Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes within Syrian territory in recent years, Fidan maintained that the Syrian people have the sovereign right to ensure security within their own borders, framing the Israeli military actions as a violation of regional stability.