CAIRO, Oct 13 (NNN-MENA) – Arab League (AL) Secretary-General, Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, described the ongoing Turkish military operation in northern Syria as a “military invasion.”
Aboul-Gheit’s remarks came, during an AL emergency meeting at the level of foreign ministers, which kicked off Saturday in Cairo, to discuss the Turkish military operation in Syria.
“What Turkey is doing in Syria is a military offensive that violates international legitimacy,” Aboul-Gheit said, accusing Ankara of committing “war crimes and crimes against humanity in Syria.”
He warned that the number of fleeing Syrians, due to the Turkish operation, may reach 300,000.
Aboul-Gheit pointed out that, 12,000 prisoners from the Daesh extremist group are held at seven prisons in the area Turkey is going to capture, 4,000 of them are foreigners.
The AL chief also said, the Turkish offensive threatens regional and international stability, urging the international community to shoulder responsibility against this operation that “threatens global security.”
Through the ground offensive, Turkey wants to create a safe zone on the Kurdish militia-held territory.
The operation came after U.S. President, Donald Trump unexpectedly withdrew American troops from the area following a phone call with Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The “Operation Peace Spring” has sparked widespread condemnation from around the world.– NNN-MENA