Lavrov Expresses Russia’s Concern Over Turkey-Led Military Operation in Syria

MOSCOW –Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday expressed Moscow’s concern over the ongoing military operation by the Turkish army and Ankara-backed Syrian “opposition” in northern Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday, according to Sputnik.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu briefed Lavrov in a phone call on the Euphrates Shield operation which Turkey claimed it aims to clear the  Syrian town of Jarabulus of Deash. “The sides exchanged opinions on the situation in Syria.

 Lavrov expressed Moscow’s concern over the actions by the Turkish army and Ankara-backed “opposition” units in northern Syria and their potential impact on efforts in attain peaceful settlement in  Syria,” the ministry said in a statement.

 According to the statement, the ministers also agreed that the sides will continue expert consultations on coordination of actions in line with UNSC resolutions on Syria.

On August 24, Turkish forces backed by US-led coalition aircraft begun a military operation dubbed Euphrates Shield in northern Syria allegedly to fight Daesh.

Damascus have accused Ankara of violating the territorial integrity of the country. After recapturing the town, Turkish troops began shelling US-backed Kurdish forces located south of the town, Sputnik said.

Russia Calls on Turkey to Agree Military Actions in Syria With Country’s Government

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow is calling on Ankara to agree its military actions with the Syrian government, as well as to refrain from attacking “opposition” and ethnic groups in Syria.

 “Any armed actions on a territory of a sovereign state should be agreed with this country’s government. We are urging to exercise selectivity in picking targets and avoid attacking locations of [opposition] and ethnic groups, including Syrian Kurds,” Zakharova told a briefing.

H.M