ISTANBUL, July 18, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that armed clashes in the Druze heartland of Syria were a region-wide threat during a phone call on Friday, his office said.

Erdogan said the clashes after the pullout of Syrian security forces from Sweida "posed a threat to the entire region", adding that it was essential Israel not violate Syria's sovereignty, according to the presidency.