Qatar and Turkey Call for Israeli Withdrawal From Syria in Joint Statement

Qatar and Turkey called for Israeli forces to withdraw from Syrian territory in a joint statement issued on November 13. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan co-chaired the 12th meeting of their Supreme Strategic Committee at Dolmabahçe Palace in Istanbul. The two governments urged the international community to take a “firm stance” against what they described as Israeli violations of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity. They called for respect for the 1974 Disengagement Agreement and diplomatic efforts toward Israeli withdrawal. They also backed the Syrian government’s efforts to strengthen state institutions and pursue an inclusive political process led by Syrians. In its September 24 account of operations in Syria’s security zone, the IDF said the 228th Brigade had completed three months of activity under the 210th Division. It said troops had dismantled terrorist infrastructure and found RPG rockets, mortar shells and Kalashnikov rifles. The IDF said its operations sought to remove threats to Israel and protect Israeli civilians, particularly Golan Heights residents. The Qatar–Turkey statement set out reconstruction priorities in Syria, including infrastructure, housing, technical training, energy, industry and essential public services. The two governments agreed to hold the committee’s 13th session in Qatar in 2027, with its date to be arranged through diplomatic channels.