Worrisome Afrin situation to be discussed with EU, UN: Mogherini

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Kurdistan 24) – EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini on Monday while speaking to Kurdistan 24 expressed concerns about Turkish forces and Syrian rebels controlling the Syrian Kurdish enclave of Afrin.

“Sure, I am worried about it,” Mogherini said in response to a question asked by Kurdistan 24 Correspondent Barzan Hassan related to the fall of Afrin at the hands of Turkish forces and the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

“We have stated from the beginning that military escalation and military activities not directly targeted against the Islamic State (IS) or Al-Nusra, UN-designated terrorist organizations, should be absolutely avoided,” Mogherini said.

She mentioned that the EU would discuss the situation in Afrin with the Special UN envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura. She stressed that the main objective should be putting an end to the conflict in the country.

“The common sense and common work were aiming at de-escalating military activities, not escalating them,” the EU official continued. “This was first and foremost the attempts of the three guarantors of Astana process, Turkey, Russia, and Iran started in Astana. We welcome that, and now are calling for coherence.”

She mentioned that the three countries are expected to work on de-escalation zones and make sure that reality is reflected on the ground.

On Sunday, Turkish forces and allied FSA fighters took control of the Kurdish city of Afrin, nearly two months since the military operation began on Jan. 20.

Editing by Nadia Riva

(Barzan Hassan contributed to this report)