EU calls on Turkey to refrain from any unilateral action in Syria
European Union’s top foreign policy official has called on Turkey to avoid taking any unilateral action in Syria that could destabilize the Arab country.
Federica Mogherini said in a statement on Saturday that Turkey’s promise for launching a fresh offensive into northern Syria to battle Kurdish militants was a source of concern, adding that such unilateral moves would undermine efforts by a Western military alliance in Syria that alleges to be fighting the Daesh terrorist group and other militants.
“The statements of a possible Turkish military operation in northeast Syria are a source of concern,” said Mogherini, adding, “We expect the Turkish authorities therefore to refrain from any unilateral action likely to undermine the efforts of the Counter-Daesh Coalition or to risk further instability in Syria.”
The top EU diplomat further urged Turkey to help preserve West’s efforts meant to end the Daesh-led militancy in Syria.
“As the fight against Daesh is entering its final stages, all parties must work towards the goal of ensuring its upcoming defeat” she said.
Mogherini’s statement came days after the United States, which leads the so-called anti-Daesh coalition in Syria, condemned Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s announcement that Ankara was planning to launch an offensive against US-backed Kurdish militants of People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria.
Ankara and Washington have been largely at odds over the YPG and its role in Syria as Turkey continues to designate the group as terrorist while the US claims it has been a major help in the fight against Daesh and other terror groups.
Washington has tolerated Turkey’s previous military operations against Syrian Kurds in areas west of the Euphrates river but there is a serious risk the two NATO-allied countries might directly clash with each other if Ankara decides to expand its offensive to the east of the river.
The Pentagon said Wednesday, hours after Erdogan said that Turkey was “determined to bring peace and security to areas east of the Euphrates”, that any unilateral military action in northern Syria would be “unacceptable”.
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