United Natons Security Council meeting has been slated for Thursday , after 10 am.
Members of the Arab League and European contries as well as NATO has condemned the Turkish military actions in Syria.
Permanent Representative to the United Nations Feridun Sinirlioglu said in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Ankara launched a military operation in northern Syria in line with self-defence to combat the terrorist threat.
"Turkey initiated Operation Peace Spring on October 9, 2019, in line with the right of self-defense... to counter the imminent terrorist threat, to ensure Turkey’s border security, to neutralize terrorists starting from along the border regions adjacent to Turkish territory", the letter seen by Sputnik on Wednesday said.
In the letter, the envoy said Turkey tried to remedy the conflict in line with UNSC resolutions before launching the operation. He also said that Ankara is still committed to resolving the crisis in Syria via a political solution as outlined in the Geneva communique and UN Security Council resolutions.
Turkish troops have advanced into north-eastern Syria, following airstrikes and artillery barrages aimed at US-backed Kurdish forces who control the region. The Turkish military confirmed on Wednesday it had “launched the land operation into the east of the Euphrates river” and later said it had hit 181 “militant targets”.Permanent Representative to the United Nations Feridun Sinirlioglu said in a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that Ankara launched a military operation in northern Syria in line with self-defence to combat the terrorist threat.
"Turkey initiated Operation Peace Spring on October 9, 2019, in line with the right of self-defense... to counter the imminent terrorist threat, to ensure Turkey’s border security, to neutralize terrorists starting from along the border regions adjacent to Turkish territory", the letter seen by Sputnik on Wednesday said.
In the letter, the envoy said Turkey tried to remedy the conflict in line with UNSC resolutions before launching the operation. He also said that Ankara is still committed to resolving the crisis in Syria via a political solution as outlined in the Geneva communique and UN Security Council resolutions.
The video footage showed civilians fleeing towns with columns of smoke rising in the background and jet trails visible in the sky.
Activists and observers said at least seven civilians had been killed so far. There were also early reports of civilian casualties in border towns hit by shelling. Pictures and video shared on social media showed wrecked buildings and bodies in the rubble.
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