Turkey voices ‘serious worries’ about Syrian ceasefire. Turkey has no plans for a unilateral ground operation in Syria

Turkey has serious worries about the Syrian ceasefire deal due to ongoing fighting, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s aide and spokesman said on Feb. 26, hours before the U.S.-Russian deal was due to go into effect.

“We support this ceasefire in principal,” spokesperson İbrahim Kalın said at a press conference, noting that Turkey has “played an active role” in making of the Syria ceasefire plan.

“But the fact that Russian planes’ bombardments and al-Assad’s forces’ attacks on the ground have been continuing - during and after the Geneva meetings and even when approaching date of implementation for the Munich Agreement – gives us serious concerns about the future of the ceasefire,” Kalın said.

• He added that Turkey has no plans for a unilateral ground operation in Syria, emphasizing that Ankara would work in line with the international coalition.

“We have repeatedly said we will act in line with the coalition. So any preparations toward [a ground incursion in Syria], unilateral or with Saudi Arabia or other countries, is out of the question,” Kalın said, stressing that Turkey will respond to any threats to its national security in line with its rules of engagement.

[ hurriyetdailynews.com]
26/2/16
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