Russia warns Turkey of launching ground operation in Syria
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, said Turkey’s ground operation on Syrian territory would lead to tension in the region and an increase in “terrorist activity.”
Turkish forces, since November 20, have been carrying out areal airstrikes and attacks via drones and artillery on a wide-scale area in northeastern Syria, leaving tens casualties and devastation in infrastructures.
“We maintain close contacts with the Turkish side on the Syrian issue….we understand Turkey’s concerns about threats to its national security,” she said.
She warned that “a ground operation on Syrian territory will only escalate tensions in the region.”
Russian Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, discussed on Thursday with his Turkish counterpart, Hulusi Akar, situation in Syria’s north on a phone call on Turkish initiative.
Alexander Lavrentyev, Russian Present Special Envoy for Syria, said on Wednesday such actions could trigger an escalation of violence and that resolving the Kurdish issue would be an important factor in stabilizing the situation in the region.