(VOVworld) – Syria's Foreign Ministry has condemned a Turkish military operation into its northern city of Jarablus, an Islamic State stronghold near the border between the two countries, calling it a flagrant violation of Syria’s sovereignty.
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Syria on Wednesday condemns Turkish military infringement upon its sovereignty. (Photo: VNA)
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A statement issued on Wednesday said that any side willing to fight terrorism on Syrian territory should cooperate with the Syrian army. Damascus accused Ankara of conducting the operation to replace the Islamic State with other terrorist organizations, referring to rebel groups. The Syrian Foreign Ministry called on Turkey to put an end to this aggression.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said its “Euphrates Shield” operation inside Syrian territory was aimed not just against the IS, but also against the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) terror group, adding the move would put an end to problems on the border. Erdogan said Turkey has no other goal than helping Syrians.
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the US encourages Turkish forces to approach the border area with Syria. US Vice President Joe Biden said Turkey should take control of its border and that the US’s warplanes would continue to assist with the Turkish operation in northern Syria.