Türkiye calls for int'l action against Israel's attacks

ANKARA

Türkiye's top security council has urged international actors to take immediate action to halt Israel's ongoing military operations.

In a statement released by the Communications Directorate following a meeting chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Oct. 3, the council urged international entities to prevent Israel from expanding its military operations beyond Palestinian territories.

"The actors in positions of responsibility are called upon to take immediate action to prevent Israel's attacks with the aim of spreading the conflict across the Middle East," read the statement.

The five-point text urged the United Nations and its Security Council to act decisively.

"In addition to Türkiye's determined efforts, international efforts should be increased and sustained to stop the genocide that the Palestinian people have been subjected to in front of the eyes of the whole world for a year and to achieve a lasting ceasefire and peace in Palestine without delay," it said.

"Türkiye will stand by the brotherly Lebanese people and government with its nation and state," the statement affirmed.

The council condemned Israel's designation of U.N. chief Antonio Guterres as "persona non grata," labeling it as “the latest example of its lawlessness.”

In addition, authorities also covered maritime developments.

"Türkiye will not allow its sincere approach and efforts to develop cooperation grounds through the establishment of lasting stability and peace in the Mediterranean and the Aegean Sea to be abused," the statement said.

Participants also reviewed counterterrorism operations against PKK, FETÖ and ISIL.

"The council was informed about the operations carried out with determination, resolve, and success... against all kinds of threats and dangers against our national unity and solidarity,” the statement said.

"It was emphasized that activities to neutralize terrorist organizations nesting in Syrian territory will continue uninterruptedly and that any plan or fait accompli attempt that may prejudice our national security will not be tolerated."

Türkiye and Syria have been at odds since the Arab Spring uprisings in 2011 plunged the latter into a protracted and devastating conflict. The war has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, involved numerous foreign powers and fragmented the country.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has recently shown a willingness to mend ties with Türkiye. In response, Erdoğan said he might invite Assad "at any moment."

Syrian diplomats said any normalization of ties would depend on Ankara withdrawing troops from its territory, according to state news agency SANA.

Türkiye has control over a large territory in northern Syria as a result of operations between 2016 and 2020.

Efforts to resolve the dispute in Syria will be aligned with the interests and expectations of the region's citizens, the statement said, reiterating Türkiye's commitment to cooperating with Iraq in combating PKK.

"The importance we attach to the security, peace and prosperity of the brotherly Iraqi people has been underlined once again," it stated.

In March, Baghdad listed PKK as a "banned organization," though Ankara continues to urge Iraq to take further action. It is listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the United States and the European Union.