Europe condemns Turkish military actions as Turkey prepares Kobani attack
ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The European Union on Monday condemned Turkey’s military action in northern Syria, which it argued affects the stability and security of the entire region.
The EU said the Turkish actions result in “more civilians suffering and further displacement,” adding it severely hinders “access to humanitarian assistance.”
“It makes the prospects for the UN-led political process to achieve peace in Syria far more difficult.”
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his army would attack Kobani, highlighting the “positive approach” Russia had shown, the Daily Sabah reported.
A civilian in Kobani told Kurdistan 24 that if Turkey attacks, the Kurdish “comrades will resist.”
According to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, up to 200,000 individuals have been reportedly displaced since the beginning of the conflict on Oct. 9.
The Kurdistan Region is already preparing for a massive influx of refugees and has started to construct camps in Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaimani.
The EU also said Turkey’s military offensive significantly undermines the progress the Global Coalition against the so-called Islamic State has achieved, stressing that the terror group “remains a threat to European security as well as Turkey’s, regional, and international security.”
It added that Turkey’s security concerns in northeast Syria should be addressed through “political and diplomatic means, not with military action, and in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
The international community, including the United Nations Security Council, must urgently intervene to stop this unilateral military action, the EU statement said.
The European Council will also meet for a ministerial meeting of the US-led coalition against the Islamic State to address how to pursue its efforts with the current developments.
“In this context, and taking into account the fact that Turkey’s military action with its dramatic consequences is still ongoing, the EU recalls the decision taken by some Member States to immediately halt arms exports licensing to Turkey.”
It said the “relevant Council working group will meet later this week to coordinate and review the Member States’ positions on this matter.”
The EU also warned Turkey that it would “not provide stabilization or development assistance in areas where the rights of local populations are ignored or violated.”
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany