6 minutes agoNATO leader calls for unity in fight against IS
Periskopi(7 years ago)
(7 years ago)Secretary - General NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, urged allied countries to remain unique in the fight against the extremist Islamic state group (IS). Divisions in the military alliance have emerged after Turkey, as a NATO member, began its offensive in Syria last week. Governments of some EU countries have threatened with [...]
Divisions in the military alliance have emerged after Turkey, as a NATO member, began its offensive in Syria last week.
The governments of some EU countries have threatened Ankara with sanctions.
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Secretary - General NATO, Jens Stoltenberg.
“Turkey is important for NATO. We risk damaging the unity we need in the fight against Islamic State”, Stoltenber said further.
Turkish offensive in northern Syria against Kurdish fighters is being sharply criticised.
Syria's Kurds have been allies of the West in the fight against IS militants, but Turkey considers them terrorists.
Official Ankara is aiming at creating a secure area in northern Syria, so as to return millions of Syrian refugees to Turkish territory, it says.
Turkish authorities have threatened European countries that they can open the gates and lead these refugees to European countries.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has called for the immediate suspension of Turkey's “military operation in Syria.
These comments she made during a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan, a German Government spokeswoman said.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that hundreds of foreign citizens, related to the militant group, the Islamic State (IS), have fled a camp in northern Syria following the offensive of Turkish forces.
