Members of European Parliament Condemn Turkey over its Syria Operation

* Photo: AA

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Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have condemned Turkey's "Operation Peace Spring" launched into northern Syria on October 9.

The MEPs have urged the country "to withdraw all of its forces from Syria" and called for sanctions against Turkey over its military operation.

In a press release published on the official website of the European Parliament today (October 24), Turkey's operation in northeast Syria has been referred to as "a grave violation of international law".

Some highlights from the press releases are as follows:

'It undermines stability and security'

"MEPs strongly condemned the unilateral Turkish military intervention in northeast Syria, urging Turkey to withdraw all of its forces from Syrian territory.

"In a resolution, adopted on Thursday by show of hands, MEPs warn that Turkey's intervention in northeast Syria is a grave violation of international law, undermining the stability and security of the region as a whole.

Call for a UN-led security zone

"Since Turkey launched its military invasion, alongside a high number of civilian and military casualties, at least 300,000 citizens have been displaced, underline MEPs, quoting UN sources. MEPs advocate that a UN-led security zone should be established in northern Syria.

"They firmly reject Turkish plans to establish 'a so-called safe zone' along the border in north-east Syria and expressed concern that the US-Turkish agreement on a temporary ceasefire might legitimise the Turkish occupation of this 'safe zone'.

'Introduce targeted sanctions and visa bans'

"MEPs find it unacceptable that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has weaponized refugees and 'used them to blackmail the EU'.

"They call on the Council to introduce a set of targeted sanctions and visa bans on Turkish officials responsible for human rights abuses, as well as to consider adopting targeted economic measures against Turkey.

"MEPs also propose that suspending trade preferences in the agricultural products agreement should be considered and as a last resort, the suspension of the EU-Turkey Customs Union.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs: We are not surprised

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey has denounced the statement of the European Parliament.

"We are not surprised on the decision of those who host terrorists in their parliament constantly", the Ministry has indicated.

The statement has also reiterated that the Syria operation of Turkey is "in line with the Article 51 of the UN Charter on the right to self-defense and UN Security Council resolutions on the fight against terrorism." (PT/SD)