Russia concerned about Türkiye's military intervention in Syria

(Baonghean.vn)- The Russian Foreign Ministry said that on August 31, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu had a phone call to discuss the situation in Syria. The call took place at Ankara's request.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a press conference after meeting with his US counterpart John Kerry in Geneva, Switzerland on August 26. Photo: Reuters.

In a statement posted on its website, the ministry said Lavrov expressed concern about the military operation “Euphrates Shield” by the Turkish armed forces and pro-Ankara opposition groups in northern Syria.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Ministry sources said that Mr. Cavusoglu briefed his Russian counterpart about Ankara's military operations in Syria via phone call.

Specifically, Mr. Cavusoglu said that the Syrian opposition forces are "making progress" in the fight against the self-proclaimed "Islamic State" (IS) terrorist group. In addition, the two foreign ministers also discussed humanitarian aid and efforts towards a political solution to the conflict in Syria.

Earlier, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin announced that a week-long military operation in northern Syria to wipe out IS militants would take place in a 90-kilometer-wide area along the Turkish border.

Kalin also stressed that the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria will remain a target for Turkish forces as long as they remain west of the Euphrates River. He affirmed that Türkiye has not agreed to any ceasefire with the YPG.

Damascus has reacted strongly to Türkiye’s move to send tanks, armored vehicles and troops into northern Syria. Syria considers the actions a serious violation of its sovereignty and demands an immediate end to the “aggression.” The Syrian Foreign Ministry has stressed that the fight against terrorism should only be carried out in coordination with and with Damascus’ permission.

Lan Ha

(According to Reuters)