Syria's FM: Turkey’s Operation is Invasion, We’ve Every Right to Respond

Click to read the article in Turkish/Kurdish

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Syria Faisal Mekdad has answered the questions of BBC correspondent Lyse Doucet.

Concerning Turkey’s offensive into Afrin, Mekdad said, “Turkey’s invasion is an open violation of Syria’s sovereignty. It is an attack against sovereignty of Syria”.

“It is an aggression against Syria’s sovereignty”

Upon Doucet’s statement that “Russia reportedly gave green light to that” concerning the offensive, “I don’t know. We know what Russians are thinking. We don’t think Russia can act on behalf of the Syrian government or against the principle Russia has always defended in Syria”.

“So it is a Turkish aggression against the sovereignty of Syria, and Syria has every right to answer to such an aggression”.

“We are responding directly or indirectly”

In response to Doucet asking “Are you going to respond militarily?”, Mekdad said:

“We are responding directly or indirectly. We have our own policy and position. We have condemned this aggression and we shall act accordingly.

“I will not specify any action but Syria has the right to defend itself. We shall all possible means to answer the attacks of Turkish regime. Our air defenses are ready”. (PT/TK)