Sending additional troops to Syria amounts to ‘an invasion’: Turkey warns France

Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli warned France against increasing its military presence in Syria, stating it would amount to “an invasion.”

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) – Turkish Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli warned France against increasing its military presence in Syria, stating it would amount to “an invasion” as tensions rise between Ankara and Paris over Manbij in northern Syria.

Pressure began to increase after French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday met with a Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) delegation, which is spearheaded by the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG).

“If France takes any action regarding its military presence in northern Syria, it would be illegitimate and a step that would go against international law. In fact, it would be an invasion,” Canikli said on Saturday.

“If they intend to support terrorist elements or provide direct or indirect protection through their armed forces, this would be a truly calamitous step,” the Turkish official added during a visit to the country’s northeastern province of Giresun.

Ankara has deployed its forces into the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin and gained control mid-March, two months after launching a military operation against the YPG which Turkey views as an extension of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly warned that Turkey would extend the military operation to Manbij, which is currently under the control of the SDF and US-led coalition forces stationed in the area.

Erdogan on Friday criticized France’s “wrong stance” and rejected Macron’s offer to mediate between Ankara and the SDF.

“We have no need for mediation,” the Turkish President said. “You can sit down at the table with terror organizations, but Turkey will continue its fight against terror.”

Editing by Nadia Riva