Qatar supports Turkey's operations in Afrin

MENA

Published: 2018-01-23 11:00

Last Updated: 2024-03-29 01:30


Afrin has been a hideout for YPG since 2012 (Reuters)
Afrin has been a hideout for YPG since 2012 (Reuters)

Qatar said on Monday that it supports Turkey’s “counterterrorist” operation in Afrin, Syria, which was motivated by legitimate security concerns, the Middle East Monitor (MEE) reported, citing Anadolu.

According to Lulwah Rashid al-Khater, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, the Turkish military operation, which took place last Saturday, was motivated by concerns related to Turkey’s national security, “in addition to protecting Syria’s territorial integrity from the danger of secession.”

“Turkey, a NATO member, has always been a stabilizing factor in the region,” al-Khater said.

She added that Qatar is “fully confident of the Turkish Republic’s keenness to preserve the safety of civilians and the unity of Syrian territory”.

Earlier this week, Turkey launched the so-called Operation Olive Branch to remove the US-backed Kurdish militia (Kurdish People’s Protection Units) that controls much of north-eastern Syria, the BBC wrote.

The military said that the “utmost importance” was being given to not harm any civilians, according to the MEE.

Turkey has always considered the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is banned in Turkey.

However, the YGP denies any links with the PKK, while the US denies Turkey’s portrayal of the militia.