EU condemns Turkey’s military operations in Syria

The European Union condemned Turkey’s military operations in Syria, the European Council said in a statement released after the first day of the summit in Brussels, TASS reported.

“The EU condemns Turkey’s unilateral military action in North East Syria which causes unacceptable human suffering, undermines the fight against Da’esh [Islamic State terrorist organization banned in Russia] and threatens heavily European security”, the European Council said adding that “the European Council notes tonight’s US-Turkey announcement on a pause for all military operations”.

The EU leaders urged Turkey to stop the military operations and withdraw the troops from Syria.

On Thursday, US Vice President Michael Pence told a press conference at the US Embassy in Ankara that Turkey agreed to pause its military operation in northeastern Syria for 120 hours. He added that Washington and Ankara have also agreed to establish a security zone on the Turkish-Syrian border.

On October 9, Ankara announced the launch of Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria, which began with airstrikes on Kurdish positions.