Germany’s FM calls on Turkey to avoid incursion into Syria’s north

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called on Turkey on Wednesday to “refrain from” a cross-border military operation into northern Syria, saying it would further “escalate violence” in the region.

“I have urgently appealed [Turkey] to refrain from measures that would further escalate violence — such as a potential ground invasion of northern Syria or military action in northern Iraq,” Baerbock said on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Bucharest where her Turkish counterpart was also present.

Since November 20, Turkey has targeted with ground and air bombardment many areas in northern Syria, killing dozens of civilians and military personnel of both the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Syrian government forces, as well as hitting vital infrastructure, such as power stations, gas and oil instillations, and grain silos.

The Turkish operation, dubbed Claw-Sword, came after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), of being behind the Istanbul bombing on November 13, which killed 20 people and injured 80b others. Ankara alleges that the SDF is the PKK’s military wing in Syria. However, both of them have categorically denied involvement in the Istanbul blast.

“International law applies of course when it comes to the protection against acts of terrorism,” Baerbock said.