Germany’s Foreign Minister, Annalena Baerbock, has called on Israel and Turkiye to exercise caution and avoid actions that could disrupt Syria’s peaceful transition following the ousting of President Bashar Assad. At a press conference in Berlin, Baerbock emphasized the importance of safeguarding the Syrian-led dialogue process from external interference.
Highlighting security concerns, Baerbock pointed to Israel’s military strikes on Syrian sites and the Turkish-backed offensives in northern Syria. Both nations have acted to address their regional security threats but face criticism for potentially undermining Syria’s recovery process.
Israel has targeted military depots and naval vessels in Syria, while Turkiye has focused on countering Kurdish forces, which it views as linked to the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Meanwhile, a ceasefire brokered by the U.S. was recently reached between Kurdish-led forces and Turkish-backed fighters in the city of Manbij.
Baerbock reiterated Germany’s commitment to supporting positive developments and fostering a free and peaceful Syria. She stressed that Syria must not become a battleground for foreign powers again and called for a unified European effort to back a Syrian-led transition.