© AFP/Thierry CharlierEU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini
EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Saturday 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.
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.
"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. As the fight against Daesh is entering its final stages, all parties must work towards the goal of ensuring its upcoming defeat, which remains an indispensable objective for any durable solution to the Syrian crisis," Mogherini said.
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.
Comment: Eliminating the YPG has been a primary goal for Turkey all along. It has kept Erdogan in the war and tucked under Putin's wing, waiting for precisely this opportunity.
See also:
Erdogan: 'Cleanse them'; remove Kurdish militias or Turkey will send troopsMore from
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US intelligence and diplomatic officials have urged the Free Syrian Army (FSA) and National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces (SMDK) not to support the planned Turkish military operation against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) east of the Euphrates River.
Turkey's Anadolu news agency cited a number US officials as saying in a message that any participation by SMDK or FSA in the operation is "an attack on the United States and the Coalition Forces", which may lead to "direct confrontation" with them.
"That will fully destroy" the relations between the US, SMDK and FSA, Washington warned.
The US officials also recalled the interaction of the US military with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), insisting that the group "cannot be attacked without aggression and confrontation with Coalition Forces and US forces and advisers."
"When elephants dance, you must stay away from the dance floor," they noted.
The remarks came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip and his US counterpart Donald Trump discussed Ankara's future military operation in eastern Syria over the phone.
Erdogan shared with Trump his concerns over the YPG's growing military presence, supported by the United States, as the two leaders agreed to coordinate military actions on the Turkish-Syrian border. Earlier, the Turkish President signaled Ankara's readiness to launch an operation against the YPG "in a few days" if the United States does not withdraw them from the area.
Comment: Eliminating the YPG has been a primary goal for Turkey all along. It has kept Erdogan in the war and tucked under Putin's wing, waiting for precisely this opportunity.
See also: Erdogan: 'Cleanse them'; remove Kurdish militias or Turkey will send troops
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