Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Tuesday warned the Kurds and other groups in Syria against any attempt to partition the country, calling it a direct threat to Turkey’s national security. He indicated that Ankara might resort to military intervention to prevent such moves.

Fidan’s remarks came during a press conference with his Salvadoran counterpart in Ankara, where they discussed expanding bilateral relations. Fidan also criticized recent Israeli involvement in Syria alongside the Druze community, urging other factions not to exploit unrest in southern Syria for tactical gain. He called on them to integrate while preserving their cultural and religious identities.

He warned, “If you cross the line and resort to violence to divide and destabilize the country, we will consider it a direct threat to our national security, and we will intervene.”

He added, “Say what you want, ask for what you want—as long as it doesn’t involve partition, we’re ready to help. But if you cross that line, we won’t leave ourselves exposed to threats.”

The minister's warning appears directed at Israel, which launched airstrikes targeting security forces during the recent events in Sweida. Turkey believes Israel’s ultimate goal in Syria is division, aiming to render the country unstable and weakened.

Fidan told reporters in Ankara that Israel seeks to split Syria so it becomes a burden on the region. He noted that Kurdish YPG militants are trying to exploit the chaos for their own benefit and pledged, “We will prevent this policy from being implemented.”

Referring explicitly to those units, he said Syrian tribes should not view the turmoil as a tactical opportunity to pursue autonomy or independence, warning they face a “major strategic disaster.” He added, “This will lead nowhere.”

Turkey considers the Kurdish YPG, which leads the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), a terrorist organization and has targeted it in several cross-border operations.

Turkey called for a ceasefire between Druze and Bedouin communities and previously condemned Israeli airstrikes in Damascus last week, describing them as attempts to sabotage Syria’s efforts to establish peace and security.

Turkey strongly supports the Syrian interim government led by President Ahmad Shar’a and has long affirmed its commitment to a unified Syrian state.

It also backs an agreement reached between the interim administration and the Kurdish-led SDF to integrate into the Syrian National Army.

Fidan’s statements come days after tensions escalated in southern Syria, with fierce clashes erupting between Arab Bedouin tribes and Druze groups in Sweida province.

The conflict prompted Israeli airstrikes targeting government convoys in Sweida and hitting the Defense Ministry headquarters in central Damascus, which Israel justified as efforts to protect Druze communities.

Fidan stated, “Attempting to extract autonomy or independence from chaos built on blood and created with outside help is a vision that leads nowhere. It’s time for integration. It’s time for everyone to embrace life while preserving their identity and beliefs.”

Since 2016, Turkey has carried out multiple military operations in northern Syria to confront Kurdish fighters and secure its borders.