US, Russia reject proposal to condemn Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring in Syria

The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) has discussed development in northern Syria, Turkey’s operation in closed session at request of some European Union countries.

The U.S. and Russia did not approve Thursday a proposal issued by five European countries in UN Security Council (UNSC) to condemn Turkey’s ongoing Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria.

At the request of England, Germany, France, Belgium and Poland, UNSC discussed the latest developments in northeastern Syria and Turkey’s operation in a closed session.

While Germany “strongly condemned” the ongoing operation, the U.S. and Russia did not use the word “condemn” in their statements.

After the meeting, Kelly Craft, the UN ambassador of the U.S., said Washington does not support Turkey’s operation decision.

Turkey is responsible for the protection of Kurds and minority populations, as well as preventing any humanitarian crisis in the region, she said.

She added that Turkey is also responsible for keeping detained Daesh terrorists in prisons and preventing any possible re-structuring of the terror group.

Five European countries made a joint statement following the closed session of the Council to voice their “deep concern” on Turkey’s military operation in Syria and they called on Turkey to “stop its unilateral operation”.

Turkey on Wednesday launched Operation Peace Spring east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to secure its borders and Syria’s territorial integrity by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees.

Operation Peace Spring clears total of 13 villages in Tal Abyad, Ras al-Ayn of terrorists

Turkey’s newly launched anti-terror operation in northern Syria liberated Tal Half and Asfar Najjar villages in Ras al-Ayn district from PKK/PYD-YPG terrorists on Friday.

The Turkish Army liberated a total of 13 villages since the beginning of the operation.

Turkey on Wednesday launched Operation Peace Spring east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria to secure its borders by eliminating terrorist elements and to ensure the safe return of Syrian refugees and Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants to eliminate terrorist elements from the PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD-YPG.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

Turkey has a 911-kilometer (566-mile) border with Syria and has long decried the threat from terrorists east of the Euphrates River and the formation of a “terrorist corridor” there.

Turkey plans to resettle 2 million Syrians in a 30-km (19-mile) wide proposed safe zone in Syria stretching from the Euphrates River to the Iraqi border, including Manbij. However, the presence of terror groups such as the PKK, PYD and YPG risk its formation.

Turkey has freed an area of 4,000 square km (1,544 square miles) in Syria from terrorist groups in two separate cross-border operations.

Since 2016, Turkey has conducted two major military operations in northwestern Syria — Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch — to eradicate threats from Daesh and the YPG, which is the Syrian branch of the PKK terrorist group.

The two operations were in line with the country’s right to self-defense borne out of international law, UN Security Council resolutions, especially no. 1624 (2005), 2170 (2014) and 2178 (2014), and under the right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter while being respectful of Syria’s territorial integrity.

During Operation Euphrates Shield, Turkish forces neutralized 3,060 Daesh terrorists.

Turkey has suffered greatly from Daesh attacks inside the country.

More than 300 people have been killed in attacks claimed by Daesh in Turkey, where the terrorist group has targeted civilians in suicide bombings and armed attacks in recent years.

In its more than 30-year terror of campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

Turkey refutes claims that military op will harm political solution in Syria

Turkey on Friday rejected claims that its military campaign in Syria would be detrimental to efforts for a political solution in the country.

“The claim that Operation Peace Spring will harm efforts for a political solution in Syria is far from reality,” a statement on Turkey’s Foreign Ministry web page read.

“Turkey has no aim to change demography of area under Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria,” it added.

Turkey says it expects solidarity from NATO against threats

No other NATO ally has suffered more terrorist attacks than Turkey in the Middle East, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Friday.

NATO must find a sustainable and coordinated solution to Daesh prisoners in Syria, Stoltenberg said in a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Turkey’s most natural and legitimate expectation is that its allies show solidarity within the framework of indivisibility of security, Turkish foreign minister said.

“It’s not enough to say ‘we understand Turkey’s legitimate concerns,’ we want to see clear solidarity,” said Çavuşoğlu.

“[The operation] is therefore highly important for the security of alliance territory,” Cavusoglu said.

Turkey’s most natural and legitimate expectation is that its allies show solidarity within the framework of indivisibility of security, he added.

Turkey’s Cavusoglu said he informed NATO chief Stoltenberg about Operation Peace Spring, and Turkey expects from its allies to show “strong solidarity”.

Pakistani PM phones Erdogan, expresses solidarity

‘Pakistan stands in full support, solidarity with Turkey,’ says Imran Khan over counter-terror operation in northern Syria

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday expressed his country’s support to Turkey over the ongoing counter-terror operation in northern Syria.

In a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, he said that Islamabad fully understands Turkey’s concerns related to terrorism, according to a statement by Pakistani Prime Ministry.

“Pakistan is fully cognizant of the threats and challenges faced by Turkey having lost 40,000 of its people to terrorism,” Khan told Erdogan, according to the statement.

“Pakistan stands in full support and solidarity with Turkey,” as always, he said.

“We pray that Turkey’s efforts for enhanced security, regional stability and peaceful resolution of the Syrian situation are fully successful,” he added.

Armenian Patriarchate announces solidarity with Turkey

‘We pray for Operation Peace Spring which aims to end terrorism,’ said Turkey’s Armenian Patriarchate head

Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey declared its support for the Turkish army in Operation Peace Spring on Friday.

Sahak Masalyan, head of Armenian Patriarchate of Turkey, spoke to press in Istanbul about the ongoing operation.

“We pray that the Operation Peace Spring, which aims to end terrorism and ensure the security of the borders, will continue in accordance with its purpose and establish peace and security as soon as possible,” Masalyan said.

He stressed that the ongoing war and chaos in the Middle East, in near geography, especially in Syria, have deeply worried them.

“Unfortunately, it’s not possible to establish peace with a peaceful path every time. May God protect our country and our people from disasters with mercy,” he added.

“We are also praying for Syrians, who were tortured, oppressed, and forced to leave their country because of terror, for them to live in peace and look forward to a brighter future without losing faith in justice, peace and good days,” he said.

“We always have prayers in our church for the army and survival of our country. We pray for our soldiers to return back to their home after finishing their mission in Operation Peace Spring,” he added.

“May the Lord inspire our leaders and commanders with the spirit of wisdom, compassion, and common sense,” he said.