Russia accuses Turkey of operating 'inside Syria'
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 13 March 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russia accuses Turkey of operating 'inside Syria', 13 March 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/570cdfe612.html [accessed 21 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
March 13, 2016
Russia has accused Turkey of deploying troops "a few hundred meters from the border inside Syria" to prevent Kurdish groups in northern Syria from consolidating their positions.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview aired on March 13 that Moscow has evidence of Turkey's rampant military "expansion" inside Syria.
"While demanding that Kurdish positions are not reinforced in Syria, Turkey has been claiming its sovereign right to create 'security zones' on Syrian soil," Lavrov told Russia's REN TV.
There were no immediate reactions from Turkish officials to Lavrov's comments.
The comments come as Ankara imposed curfews on two towns – in Turkey's mainly Kurdish southeast – where its security forces are set to launch large-scale operations against militants linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
The Syrian conflict has sparked growing friction between Turkey and Russia, which says the Kurds should be included in diplomatic efforts to end the five-year civil war.
Earlier this month, Lavrov said any attempt to keep the Kurds out of peace talks would infringe on the rights "of a large and significant group" of people living in Syria.
Based on reporting by AFP and AP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
