Turkish offensive in Syria has been widely condemned by Arab and European countries. Turkey launched a military operation against Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria on Wednesday just days after U.S. troops pulled back from the area.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan claimed the aim was to eliminate what he called a “terror corridor” on Turkey’s southern border.
Turkey had been poised to enter northeast Syria since U.S. troops, who have been fighting with Kurdish-led forces against ISIS, started to leave in an abrupt policy shift by U.S. President Donald Trump.
The Kurdish-led force in northeast Syria said Turkish bombing of the border region killed five civilians and injured dozens more.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) also reported three of its fighters were killed.
Egypt Condemns Turkish offensive in Syria
As a leading Arab country, Egypt called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League over Turkey’s offensive into Syria, according to a statement issued by the foreign ministry on Wednesday.
“Egypt condemned in the strongest terms the Turkish aggression on Syrian territory,” the ministry’s statement read, adding the offensive “represents a blatant and unacceptable attack on the sovereignty of a brotherly Arab state.”
The statement “warned of the repercussions of the Turkish move on the unity and territorial integrity of Syria”.
Arab Condemnation
Saudi Arabia condemned the Turkish offensive in northeast Syria, state TV cited an official source in the Saudi foreign ministry as saying.
Iraqi President Barham Salim also condemned what he called “the Turkish incursion into northern Syria.
He said that militants will take advantage, according to his twitter account.
Moreover, Bahrain and the UAE condemned the Turkish offensive in northeast Syria.
On its part, Iranian parliament speaker Ali Larijani cancelled his scheduled trip to Turkey, Iranian state TV reported.
”Larijani was invited by his Turkish counterpart to attend a parliamentary meeting in Turkey. His trip has been cancelled,” TV said, without elaborating
Europe Stance Over the Turkish Aggression on Syria
The European Union urged Turkey to end its military operation in northern Syria, rejecting any Turkish plans for a safe zone for refugees, saying it would not provide aid there.
“The EU calls upon Turkey to cease the unilateral military action,” the 28 members of the bloc said in a joint statement. “It is unlikely that a so-called ‘safe zone’ in north-east Syria, as envisaged by Turkey, would satisfy international criteria for refugee return,” the statement said.
“The EU will not provide stabilization or development assistance in areas where the rights of local populations are ignored,” it said.
The United Kingdom expressed deep concerns over the incursion of Turkish troops and described it as a threat to regional security and peace.
Britain’s foreign secretary Dominic Raab said he had “serious concerns” about Turkey’s offensive in northeast Syria.
“This risks destabilizing the region, exacerbating humanitarian suffering, and undermining the progress made against ISIS which should be our collective focus,” Raab said in a statement.
French Defense Minister Florence Parly said on her Twitter feed that the Turkish offensive in northeast Syria is dangerous and should stop.
“It is dangerous for the security of the Kurds. Dangerous because it benefits ISIS, which we have been fighting for five years. It must stop,” she said.
Trump Described Turkish Military Operation as a ‘bad idea’
U.S. President Donald Trump warned Turkey against attacking Syria, saying its assault was “a bad idea” not backed by the United States, and called on Ankara to protect religious minorities.
“This morning, Turkey, a NATO member, invaded Syria. The United States does not endorse this attack and has made it clear to Turkey that this operation is a bad idea,” Trump said in a statement.
“Turkey has committed to protecting civilians, protecting religious minorities, including Christians, and ensuring no humanitarian crisis takes place—and we will hold them to this commitment.”
Trump on Monday had threatened to “totally destroy and obliterate” the Turkish economy if Turkey took any action he considered “off-limits” following his decision.
