The Turkish president threatens Israel with military intervention
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey might enter Israel, as it has done in the past in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, although he did not spell out what sort of intervention he was suggesting, reports Reuters.
"Just like we entered Karabah, just like we entered Libya, we could do the same to them," Erdogan said at a Justice and Development Party (AKP) event in Rize, on the Black Sea, referring to Israel.
Erdogan referred to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, where he supported Azerbaijan with drones and other military support. Ankara also supports the internationally recognized government of Libya with military equipment and personnel.
In his speech, Erdogan welcomed the progress made in his country's defense industry. "There's nothing we can't do. We just have to be strong," he said.
AK Party representatives did not answer calls seeking further details on Erdogan's comments. Israel had no immediate comment on Erdogan's claims. The president appeared to be referring to Turkey's past actions. In 2020, Turkey sent military personnel to Libya to support the Libyan Government of National Accord, recognized by the United Nations. Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, who heads the national unity government in Tripoli, is backed by Turkey.
Turkey has denied any direct role in Azerbaijan's military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, but said last year it was using "all means," including military training and modernization, to support its close ally. Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Western countries of "supporting" an Israeli offensive in Lebanon against Hezbollah, an ally of the Palestinian terror movement Hamas. "It seems that Israel, which devastated Gaza, is now turning its attention to Lebanon. We see that the Western powers support Israel behind the scenes.
Netanyahu's plans to expand the war in the region will lead to a great disaster," the Turkish president told his party's deputies in Parliament. "It is extremely serious and pathetic that countries that talk about freedom, human rights and justice are captive to a mentally ill person like Netanyahu," Erdogan said, asking "other countries in the region to stand in solidarity with Lebanon."
