Türkiye slams Israeli occupation of Syrian territories

Türkiye has strongly condemned Israel's military attacks and advances in the Syrian territories following the collapse of the Assad administration in the Middle Eastern country.

"We strongly condemn Israel's violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement by entering the Israel-Syria zone and its continuing advance into Syrian territory," read a statement by the Foreign Ministry on Dec. 10.

The statement came as Israeli increased its aerial attacks on a number of targets across Syria and entered into the Syrian territories through the occupied Golan heights.

"ln this sensitive period, when there is a possibility of achieving the peace and stability that the Syrian people have been longing for many years, Israel is once again displaying its occupying mentality," the statement read.

"We resolutely reiterate our support for Syria's sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity," added the Turkish ministry.

Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria on Dec. 10 as its troops advanced deeper into the country, drawing to within 25 kilometers (15 miles) of the capital. Israel denied its forces were advancing toward Damascus.

A war monitor said on Tuesday that Israel conducted 300 strikes on Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad, adding that the raids had "destroyed the most important military sites" in the country.

Assad fled Syria as opposition groups swept into the capital Damascus on Dec. 8, bringing to an end six decades of brutal rule by his clan.

The Israeli air force was methodically destroying Syria's military assets to ensure whoever rules the country next would have to rebuild them. Israeli media reported that Israel struck "all Syrian air bases" for the first time in over 50 years,...