President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey could enter Israel as it has done in the past in Libya and Nagorno-Karabakh, though he did not elaborate what kind of intervention he was suggesting. Erdogan, who has been a staunch critic of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, began discussing that war during a speech praising his country’s defense industry.
“We must be very strong so that Israel cannot do these ridiculous things to Palestine. Just like we entered Karabakh, just like we entered Libya, we can do the same to them,” Erdogan said at a meeting of his ruling AK Party in his hometown of Rize.
“There is no reason why we cannot do this… We have to be strong so that we can take these steps,” Erdogan said in a televised address.
Representatives of the AK Party did not respond to calls seeking further information about Erdogan’s remarks. Israel did not immediately comment.
The President appeared to be referring to Türkiye’s past actions.
In 2020, Turkey sent military personnel to Libya in support of the UN-recognised Libyan Government of National Accord.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, who heads a national unity government in Tripoli, is supported by Turkey.
Turkey has denied any direct role in Azerbaijan’s military operations in Nagorno-Karabakh, but said last year it was using “all means” including military training and modernisation to support its close ally.