EU Foreign Policy Chief Urges Turkey to Refrain from Military Operation in Syria

TEHRAN (defapress)- EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini commented on Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's plans to conduct a military operation in the east of Syria, urging Ankara to refrain from any unilateral actions in the area.

News ID: 74367

Date: 16 December 2018 - 15:00

On Friday, Erdogan said that Ankara was ready to launch an operation in the Syrian Manbij against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) if the United States does not withdraw them from the area. Erdogan discussed the situation in Syria with Trump on the same day, Sputnik reported.

She noted that the European Union was concerned over Erdogan's statements.

"We expect all parties to respect at all times their international obligations to protect civilians, and allow humanitarian access," the EU official added.

The Turkish authorities view the YPG as an affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), listed as a terrorist organization in Turkey, the United States and the European Union. Ankara has been claiming that the YPG presence near its border hampers its national security.

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