Turkey has welcomed the US missile strike against a Syrian regime airbase.
ADVERTISEMENTTurkey has welcomed the US missile strike against a Syrian regime airbase.
Ankara – which has been involved in border operations against ISIL and Kurdish fighters – has called for Assad’s government to be ousted and for a no-fly zone to be imposed.
The Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavosoglu said safe zones for civilians in Syria were now more important than ever.
“This military intervention of the United States is right in its timing and we support it. We are also calling on government supporters not to stand behind the regime. Let’s ensure the national unity of Syria, aiming for a ceasefire and a political solution,” Cavosoglu told reporters in the southern town of Alanya. Referring to President Assad, he went on: “If this cruel person is able to use chemical weapons, we should not legitimise him; that’s our call to the supporters of the Syrian regime.”
On Thursday Turkey said the suspected chemical attack demonstrated the Syrian government’s “complete disregard” for a peace process.
Late last year a ceasefire was agreed, sponsored by Turkey, Russia and Iran.
Press Release Regarding the US’ Military Operation Targeting the Syrian Regime’s Shayrat Airbase in Homshttps://t.co/w9I8rbwbwf
— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkey) April 7, 2017