Erdoğan: Israel has been using Druze minority as pretext to expand its banditry into Syria

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Thursday that Israel has been using the Druze minority in Syria as a pretext for expanding into the war-torn country.

"Israel, using the Druze as an excuse, has been expanding its banditry into neighbouring Syria over the past two days," Erdoğan said in a televised speech after the weekly cabinet meeting.

"Israel is a lawless, rule-breaking, unprincipled, arrogant, and terrorist state," Erdoğan said in a statement.

Erdoğan said on Thursday Türkiye will not allow Syria to be divided or its multicultural structure and territorial integrity harmed, after Israel's actions sought to "sabotage" a ceasefire in the country.

Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Erdoğan said Israel's actions show it does not want peace.

'We did not consent to the fragmentation of Syria yesterday, and we will certainly not consent to it today or tomorrow,' Erdoğan added.

"A stable Syria will generate stability for all neighboring countries; otherwise, everyone will bear the burden of this," stated Erdoğan.

"Those who seek a secure future through oppression and massacres should never forget this: they are merely passersby; we are the innkeepers. We are the ones who truly belong to this land.

"We are closely monitoring all developments in Syria, maintaining communication with our counterparts, and will continue to do so," said the Turkish president.

Türkiye's fundamental policy is to preserve the territorial integrity, national unity, unitary structure, and multicultural identity of Syria, according to Erdoğan.

"Through our honorable foreign policy, peace efforts, and diplomatic engagements, Türkiye stands on the side of peace," said Erdoğan, adding. "We bear no ill will toward anyone, nor envy or hostility. We do not infringe on anyone's rights, laws, or sovereignty; we only want peace."