Erdogan: We have no Sunnis or Shiites, we only have Islam, the war in the Middle East must stop

(Patrai) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sent an appeal on the occasion of the escalation of conflicts in Iran and the wider Middle East region, warning that the world has missed an opportunity for a diplomatic solution, which has led to severe humanitarian consequences.

Speaking about the increasingly pronounced sectarian divisions accompanying the growing tensions, Erdogan stated that the Muslim world must not allow divisions to weaken it further.

"We do not have a faith like Sunni or Shiite. We have only one faith, and that is Islam," emphasized the Turkish president, calling for unity at a time when conflicts in the region are deepening.

Erdogan pointed out that numerous problems could have been resolved at the negotiating table, but that, as he stated, wrong political assessments and provocations prevailed.

"While there was an opportunity and possibility to resolve problems at the table, due to wrong calculations, poor assessments, and provocations by the bloodthirsty network, our region has once again been covered by the smell of blood and gunpowder," said Erdogan.

He expressed particular concern over the suffering of civilians, emphasizing that violence most severely affects those who are not part of political and military decisions.

According to him, attacks are carried out without distinguishing between women, children, and the elderly, while innocent civilians – who bear no responsibility for the developments – are paying a huge price for the conflicts.

At the end of his address, Erdogan warned of the danger of further escalation that could engulf the entire Middle East and called on the international community to urgently give diplomacy a chance.

"This war must be stopped before it escalates and ignites the entire region. If diplomacy is given a chance, it is certainly possible to achieve that," Erdogan stated.