10/10/2019 India slams Turkey for its 'unilateral military offensive' in northeast Syria - Times of India

Printed from

India slams Turkey for its 'unilateral military offensive' in

northeast Syria
PTI | Oct 10, 2019, 04.38 PM IST

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday said it was "deeply concerned" over the
"unilateral military offensive" by Turkey in northeastern Syria and asserted
that the action can undermine stability in the region as well as the fight
against terrorism.

On Wednesday, Turkish jets and artillery targeted Kurdish-controlled areas

in Syria+ , forcing thousands of civilians to flee their homes.

Reacting to the development, MEA said: "We are deeply concerned at the
unilateral military offensive by Turkey in northeast Syria."
India slams Turkey for its 'unilateral military offensive' in northeast
Syria
Turkey's actions can undermine stability in the region and the fight against terrorism, it said.

ALSO READ
Hope Turkey will 'act rationally' in terms of operation in northern Syria: Trump

The action also has the potential for causing humanitarian and civilian distress, the MEA said in a statement.

"We call upon Turkey to exercise restraint and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We urge the peaceful
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-slams-turkey-for-its-unilateral-military-offensive-in-northeast-syria/articleshowprint/71520852.cms 1/2
10/10/2019 India slams Turkey for its 'unilateral military offensive' in northeast Syria - Times of India

settlement of all issues through dialogue and discussion," the MEA said.

Turkish ground forces seized at least one village from Kurdish fighters in northern Syria as they pressed ahead with their
assault Thursday, launching airstrikes and unleashing artillery shelling on towns and villages the length of its border.

The Turkish invasion, now in its second day, has been widely condemned around the world. In northern Syria, residents of
border areas scrambled in panic as they tried to get out on foot, in cars and with rickshaws piled with mattresses and a few
belongings.

It was wrenchingly familiar for the many who only a few years ago, had fled the advances on their towns and villages by the
Islamic State group.

A Kurdish-led group and Syrian activists claimed Thursday that despite the heavy barrage, Turkish troops had not made much
progress on several fronts they had opened over the past hours. But their claims could not be independently verified and the
situation on the ground was difficult to assess.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed that 109 "terrorists" were killed since Ankara launched the offensive into Syria
the previous day, a reference to the US-allied Syrian Kurdish fighters. He did not elaborate, and the reports on the ground did
not indicate anything remotely close to such a large number of casualties.

(With inputs from other agencies)

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/india-slams-turkey-for-its-unilateral-military-offensive-in-northeast-syria/articleshowprint/71520852.cms 2/2