Turkey attacks Kurds in Syria: IS claims to have rescued many arrested women
(VOVWORLD) -The IS claims to have freed a number of women captured by Syrian Kurdish forces. This follows reports of a number of IS members escaping from prisons in northern Syria since Turkey launched an anti-Kurd campaign in this region last week.
 IS fighters in Raqa city, Syria. (Photo: AFP / TTXVN ) |
The IS said Thursday that it had attacked a security headquarters in the western region of Raqa, once an IS stronghold, "to rescue many Muslim women" being held by Kurdish forces. The IS did not specify the number of people or say whether the women are members of the IS or relatives of jihadists. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia urges all parties in northern Syria to show restraint and avoid escalating tensions amid Turkey's military operations against the Kurds there. The same day, President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli called on the European Union to tighten sanctions on Turkey, warning that consideration of Turkey’s possible EU membership might be suspended because of this campaign. White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow said the US is ready to impose additional sanctions on Turkey, if necessary.
Meanwhile, Syrian media reported that President Bashar al-Assad says he will respond to "Turkey's invasion of any part of Syrian territory by all legitimate means." This is the first statement by the Syrian leader since Turkey launched its campaign in northern Syria on October 9.