Erdogan tells Putin new clashes in Syria threaten region: presidency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that armed clashes in the Druze heartland of Syria were a region-wide threat during a phone call on Friday (July 18, 2025), his office said.

Mr. Erdogan said the clashes after the pullout of Syrian security forces from Sweida “posed a threat to the entire region”, adding that it was essential Israel not violate Syria’s sovereignty, according to the presidency.