Erdogan Calls Cyprus’s Allies “Subcontractors of Zionism” in Eastern Med Warning
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued a direct threat to countries cooperating with Israel in the Eastern Mediterranean on Thursday, warning that Turkey's response to any challenge to its interests would be, in his words, "very clear and very harsh."
Erdogan called Israel a "factory of discord" that is simultaneously working to destabilize African countries and the Mediterranean, and described unnamed regional states as "small entities" whose ambitions far exceed their size. He accused these countries of acting as "subcontractors of Zionism" by aligning with Israeli policy in the region.
"Do not chase adventures or follow the trail of the Zionist network of assassins" — Erdogan
On Cyprus, Erdogan said Turkey is closely watching what he described as attempts to light "the fire of discord" on the island. He made clear that Ankara will not tolerate any moves that he claims threaten the rights of Turkey and Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In a direct warning, Erdogan told regional actors not to "chase adventures or follow the trail of the Zionist network of assassins." He added that Turkey considers its security interests to extend beyond its own borders, naming Aleppo, Damascus, and Beirut as areas where Ankara will not accept any "fait accompli" against what he called brotherly nations.
Erdogan also confirmed during the same address that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara. The combination of a security warning and a summit announcement came in a single high-profile speech, signaling that Turkey is positioning itself as a central power in the region ahead of that meeting.
