Craft’s statement came just moments after the 15-member UN Security Council (SC) unanimously agreed its stance on Turkey’s Syria operation.
“SC expressed deep concern over the risk of dispersion of terrorists from UN designated groups ISIS and are also very concerned over the risk of further deterioration of humanitarian situation,” the two-line statement read, falling short of calling on Turkey to halt its operation.
Craft said: “Turkey’s military offensive into northeast Syria is undermining the campaign to defeat ISIS, endangering innocent civilians, and threatening peace, security, and stability in the region.”
“We have made it clear to Turkey that any actions in northeast Syria in violation of international law, including international humanitarian law, are unacceptable. This includes but is not limited to Turkey’s targeting the Kurdish population, religious minorities including Christians and civilian infrastructure and ensuring that no humanitarian crisis takes place. Officials and individuals responsible for human rights abuses will be, must be, held to account,” she said.
Sanctions have already been imposed on three senior Turkish officials and two government ministers following an executive order from the president, Craft said.
“We continue to call on Turkey to take the following steps: cease undermining the campaign to defeat ISIS, cease endangering civilians, cease threatening peace, security, and stability in the region, and cease its offensive and declare a ceasefire immediately.”
In its own joint statement, the five European Union member states of the Security Council, including Belgium, France, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom, plus Estonia, said: “We deeply regret that Turkey has not responded yet to these repeated appeals from its allies.”
“We do not believe Turkey’s unilateral military action will resolve its underlying security concerns. Turkey’s ongoing military action seriously undermines the stability and security of the whole region, resulting in more civilian suffering, displacement and the severe hindering of access to humanitarian assistance. It makes the prospects for the UN-led political process to achieve peace in Syria more difficult and opens new frontlines that could further risk destabilizing the region.”
The statement also warned Turkey’s offensive “significantly undermines” the fight against ISIS.
“The secure detention of terrorist fighters is imperative in order to prevent them from joining the ranks of terrorist groups. The EU Members call for a ministerial meeting of the International Coalition against Daesh in order to address the continuation of its efforts in the current context,” it added, using the Arabic acronym for ISIS.
“The continued efforts of the international community, including here at the UN Security Council, in order to stop this unilateral military action are urgently needed. We repeat our urgent call on Turkey to act in accordance with international humanitarian law.”
This is a developing story…
