Targeting commercial ships in Black Sea benefits no one: Turkish president

By Esra Tekin

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned that targeting commercial and civilian ships in the Black Sea benefits no one, referring to recent attacks linked to the Russia-Ukraine war.

Addressing the 16th Ambassadors Conference in the capital Ankara, Erdogan said the attacks threaten navigation safety in the Black Sea, and that Ankara conveyed warnings to both sides (Russia-Ukraine) on this matter.

Türkiye had earlier called attacks on vessels inside its exclusive economic zone unacceptable.

Erdogan said Türkiye has “no other option but to be strong” both to defend its own interests and "extend helping hand to its brothers.”

On Türkiye’s humanitarian and diplomatic efforts for regions in crisis, Erdogan said Ankara made a difference by delivering over 103,000 tons humanitarian aid to Gaza, despite restrictions.

“In Gaza, many mothers, spouses, children are searching for their mothers, fathers, partners, or waiting to receive news about their fate,” he said.

On Tel Aviv’s aggressive actions against Syria, Erdogan said Israel is currently the main obstacle to lasting security and stability in the war-torn country, where a new administration took charge a year ago after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad.

The number of Syrian refugees in Türkiye who returned home has reached 580,000, the Turkish president said, adding that as stability takes hold voluntary and dignified return of refugees will increase.

Ankara is urging the necessary steps to implement the March 10 agreement with SDF in Syria, “which risks turning into crisis if resisted,” he warned.

On South Caucasus, Erdogan said Ankara is in dialogue with Baku, and advancing its normalization process with Yerevan. Both Armenia and Azerbaijan are close to signing peace deal, he added.