Military Operation in Syria: Reactions from Europe, US

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The European Union (EU) will not help Turkey to establish "a safe zone" in northern Syria, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said.

Turkey began the "Operation Peace Springs" today (October 9), hitting several locations in northern Syria with airstrikes and howitzers.

Speaking to EU lawmakers, Juncker said, "I call on Turkey as well as on the other actors to act with restraint and to stop operations already, as we are speaking, underway."

While acknowledging Turkey's security concerns on its border, Juncker called all parties for "restraint".

"If the Turkish plan involves the creation of a so-called safe zone, don't expect the European Union to pay for any of it," Juncker added.

Turkey plans to resettle up to three million refugees in the "safe zone."

NATO: Turkey has legitimate security concerns

"I am ensured that any action it may take in northern Syria is proportionate and measured," NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters after a meeting with Giuseppe Conte, the PM of Italy.

"It is important to avoid actions that may further destabilize region, escalate tensions and cause more human suffering," he added.

Germany: Operation could lead to a humanitarian disaster

Heiko Maas, the Foreign Minister of Germany, also called Turkey to stop the operation.

"Turkey is risking a further detribalization of the region and a reinvigoration of Islamic State. The Turkish offensive could lead to a new humanitarian disaster as well as new refugee flows."

He added, "We urge Turkey to end its operation and to pursue its security interests in a peaceful way."

US Senator: Turkey will pay a price

Senator Lindsay Graham called on President Donald Trump to "change course" and go back to "safe zone concept that was working."

Prior to the phone call between President Erdoğan and Trump that lead to the withdrawal of US soldiers, the US began to work with Turkey and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) to establish a "security mechanism".

Graham added that he will lead efforts in Congress to "Make Erdoğan pay a heavy price."

If media reports are accurate and Turkey has entered northern Syria — a disaster is in the making.

— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) October 9, 2019

(PT/VK)