Türkiye urges calm in Syria, stability across region

​​​​​​​By Gizem Nisa Demir

ISTANBUL (AA) - Türkiye emphasized the need Saturday to end the fighting in Syria and restore stability across the region.

Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, in a phone meeting with his US counterpart, Marco Rubio, underlined that Türkiye will not allow terror organizations to exploit the situation in southern Syria under any circumstances.

​​​​​​​Fighting is still ongoing in the western and northern parts of Suwayda Governorate between Bedouin tribal forces and local armed Druze groups.

The fighting began Sunday as limited skirmishes between both sides, prompting Syrian regime forces to intervene. Dozens of soldiers were killed in retaliatory attacks by armed Druze factions.

After the escalation between regime forces and Druze groups, a ceasefire was brokered but quickly collapsed.

Israel, under the pretext of protecting Druze communities, intensified its attacks across Syria, launching airstrikes on four provinces, including on the General Staff headquarters and presidential palace in Damascus on Wednesday.