Turkey has severed all ties with Israel, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday.

Erdogan made the comments to journalists aboard his plane following visits to Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan, Middle East Eye reported. 

“The government of the Republic of Turkey, under the leadership of Tayyip Erdogan, will not continue or develop relations with Israel,” Erdogan said.

“[Our ruling coalition] is resolute in its decision to cut ties with Israel, and we will maintain this stance in the future as well. We, as the Republic of Turkey and its government, have currently severed all relations with Israel."

Despite imposing a trade embargo on Israel in May, Ankara continues to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. 

Although the Turkish government formally recalled its ambassador last year for consultations, Turkish diplomatic missions in Tel Aviv remain open and operational.