Turkiye’s Erdogan Warns OIC Against New Sykes-Picot in Escalating Middle East Crisis
Turkiye’s Erdogan strongly warned the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday. He urged Muslim nations not to allow a “new Sykes-Picot order” to take shape in the Middle East. Speaking at the 51st Session of the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in Istanbul, he called for unity to confront Israel’s growing aggression and regional instability.
Borders Must Not Be Drawn in Blood
“We won’t allow new borders to be drawn in blood like a century ago,” Erdogan declared, referencing the infamous Sykes-Picot Agreement. He emphasized the urgent need for Islamic solidarity to counter Israel’s “banditry” not only in Gaza but also in Syria, Lebanon, and Iran.
Erdogan compared the humanitarian crisis in Gaza to Nazi concentration camps. He noted that nearly 2 million Palestinians have suffered for over 21 months. He urged Muslim nations to support Palestinians and warned that unchecked Israeli aggression threatens the entire region.
Support for Iran Amid Conflict
Addressing the conflict between Iran and Israel, Erdogan voiced confidence in Iran’s resilience. “With their strong state tradition and national unity, the Iranian people will overcome these hard days,” he said. The OIC session took place as tensions rose after Israel’s recent strike on Iran’s Khondab nuclear facility in Arak, which experts warn could produce weapons-grade plutonium.
Syria Rejoins OIC Amid Regional Shifts
Erdogan welcomed Syria’s return to the OIC. He called on Muslim countries to help restore Syria’s territorial integrity and bring lasting stability. He stressed that unity among Islamic nations is crucial as conflicts continue spreading.
The Israel-Iran conflict has escalated sharply. Both sides launched drone and missile attacks. Since June 13, Iran reported 430 deaths and over 3,500 wounded. Israel confirmed 24 deaths and more than 800 injuries. Iran claimed it struck Israeli military sites, including Ben Gurion Airport. Israel announced it killed a senior IRGC Quds Force commander in Qom.
The global community remains deeply concerned. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all sides to “give peace a chance.” Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of a rising risk of World War III. Some critics compared the situation to the Iraq war, where flawed intelligence about weapons of mass destruction triggered years of chaos. Many fear history could repeat itself in the Middle East.
