Erdogan, Macron discuss latest developments in Syria

Cigdem Alyanak and Hatice Senses Kurukiz

ISTANBUL: President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday spoke over the phone with his French counterpart Emm-anuel Macron and discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in Syria.

According to presidential sources, Erdogan also shared details about his country’s ongoing Operation Olive Branch in Syria’s northwestern Afrin region.

Erdogan told Macron that the “utmost importance” is being given to avoid harming any civilians during the operation, said the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on talking to the media.

On Jan. 20, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to clear PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkey’s borders and the region as well as to protect Syrians from terrorist oppression and cruelty.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the UN charter, and respect for Syria’s territorial integrity, it said.

The Turkish and French leaders also discussed the latest developments in Syria’s Eastern Ghouta region.

Eastern Ghouta, a Damascus suburb, has been under siege for the last five years and humanitarian acc-ess to the area, which is home to some 400,000 people, has been completely cut off.

In the past eight months, forces of the Assad regime have intensified their siege of Eastern Ghouta, making it nearly impossible for food or medicine to get into the district and leaving thousands of patients in need of treatment.

Turkey has called on the international community to make efforts to stop the massacre in the besieged Damascus suburb.

Meanwhile, Turkish president on Monday met head of Libya’s Presidential Council in the capital Ankara.

The Presidential Council is affiliated with Libya’s UN-backed unity government based in Tripoli.

The meeting between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fayez al-Sarraj was held at Beylerbeyi Palace in Istanbul.

The closed-door meeting lasted for about an hour. (AA)