US expresses condolences for death of civilians in NE Syria
QAMIHSLI, Syria (North Press) – The United States expressed on Monday its condolences for the death of civilians in northern Syria as a result of recent Turkish airstrikes, urging Turkey to de-escalate.
On Monday, tens thousands attended the funeral of 12 civilians who lost their lives in a Turkish airstrike on the countryside of Derik (al-Malikiyah) in the far northeast Syria.
The US Department of State said, in a statement, “The United States expresses its sincere condolences for the loss of civilian life in Syria.”
On November 20, the cities of Kobani, Derik (al-Malikiyah), and the northern countryside of Aleppo, in addition to other areas on Syrian-Turkish border were targeted by Turkish warplanes, killing 13 people, including civilians and fighters of Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to a statement released by the SDF.
This came days after Istanbul blast which took place on November 13 that killed six people and wounded dozens.
The US urged Turkey to de-escalate and to focus on fighting ISIS, “We urge de-escalation in Syria to protect civilian life and support the common goal of defeating ISIS.”
In addition, the statement pointed out that the US oppose any uncoordinated military action in Iraq that violates Iraq’s sovereignty.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed on Monday that there are talks with parties to the conflict of Syria to carry out a ground military operation on northern Syria and northern Iraq.
In addition, US Embassy in Damascus tweeted on Tuesday “We urge de-escalation and above all protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure.”
Turkish forces and their affiliated armed opposition factions, also known as Syrian National Army (SNA), continue immensely targeting areas in north and northeast Syria with artillery shells, drones and airstrikes.