Russia 'Surprised' by Turkey's Statement on Resuming Syria Operation

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Moscow is "surprised" by Foreign Minister's statement that Turkey would resume its operation in northern Syria if the Kurdish People's Defense Units fail to withdraw from border areas, Igor Konashenkov, the spokesperson of Russia's Ministry of Defense, said today (November 19).

"The Russian Defense Ministry was surprised to hear Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu's statement about Russia's alleged failure to fulfill its promises, as well as his threats about an operation in northern Syria," he said, according to Russia's state-run TASS news agency.

"The Turkish top diplomat's statement calling for military activities may raise tensions in Syria's north instead of easing them in accordance with a joint memorandum signed by the presidents of Russia and Turkey," he added.

Minister Çavuşoğlu said yesterday (November 18) that Turkey was ready to resume the "Operation Peace Spring" in northern Syria in case the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG) failed to pull their fighters back from the border areas. He also said that Russia and the US did not abide by the agreements it reached with Turkey for the removal of the YPG from the area.

Turkey launched the operation into northern Syria on October 9 to with the aim of clearing the border area from the YPG and establishing a "safe zone" to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees it hosts.

It reached agreements with the US and Russia on October 17 and October 19 respectively to cease the operation in exchange for the withdrawal of the YPG from a 30-kilometer deep zone along the Turkey-Syria border. (PT/VK)