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Ankara, Turkey — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hinted at the possibility of Turkish intervention in Israel, drawing a sharp rebuke from Israeli officials.
Erdogan’s comments, reported by Reuters, come amid heightened tensions following Israel’s recent offensive in Gaza.
Erdogan made the remarks during a speech in which he also lauded Turkey’s burgeoning defense industry.
“We have to be very strong so that Israel cannot do these ridiculous things with Palestine. Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we can do the same thing with them,” Erdogan said, addressing a meeting of his ruling party in his hometown.
“There is no reason why we cannot do this. We must be strong to be able to take these steps.”
The Turkish president’s remarks appear to refer to Turkey’s previous military engagements. In 2020, Turkey deployed military personnel to Libya to back the UN-recognized Government of National Accord led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.
Although Ankara denies direct involvement in Azerbaijan’s military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh, it has admitted to providing military training and modernization support to its ally Baku.
Erdogan’s rhetoric has provoked a strong response from Israeli officials. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz drew a parallel between Erdogan and former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, issuing a warning on the social media platform X.
“Erdogan is following in the footsteps of Saddam Hussein and threatening to attack Israel. Let him remember what happened there and how it ended,” Katz cautioned.
Erdogan has long been a vocal critic of Israel’s policies towards Palestinians and has frequently condemned Israeli military actions in Gaza.
His latest statements underscore Turkey’s assertive foreign policy stance under his leadership, particularly regarding conflicts involving Muslim populations.
The potential for Turkish intervention in Israel raises concerns about further destabilization in the Middle East.
Erdogan’s allusion to Turkey’s past interventions in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh suggests a willingness to leverage military power to influence regional conflicts.
In Libya, Turkey’s intervention was pivotal in supporting the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord against eastern forces led by Khalifa Haftar.
Turkish drones and air defense systems played a crucial role in shifting the balance of power in favor of the UN-recognized government.
In Nagorno-Karabakh, Turkey’s support for Azerbaijan included the provision of advanced weaponry and military advisors, significantly bolstering Azerbaijan’s capabilities during the 2020 conflict with Armenia.
While Turkey has denied direct involvement, its substantial support for Baku was widely acknowledged and contributed to Azerbaijan’s territorial gains.
Erdogan’s comments come at a time of renewed international focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with global leaders and organizations calling for de-escalation and peace.
However, the prospect of Turkish military involvement in Israel could complicate diplomatic efforts and escalate tensions in the region.
As Erdogan’s remarks reverberate through international diplomatic circles, the implications of his potential intervention in Israel remain uncertain. Observers will be closely monitoring Turkey’s next moves, as well as the responses from Israel and other regional powers, to gauge the potential impact on the already volatile geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.