Turkey urged to stop assaults on Kurdish militias in Syria

Turkey dismissed calls from France and Germany on 14-15 February 2016 to stop its shelling of Kurdish fighters in Syria. Turkish armed forces targetted the YPG militia, which is seen as an extension of the PKK, a Kurdish group waging an insurgency on Turkish soil. Among the targets hit by Turkey was the Menagh airbase, which had been seized by the YPG a few days earlier from Syrian islamists.

The pressure on Turkey to stop the strikes increased as the International Syria Support Group reached an agreement to allow access for humanitarian aid to reach besieged areas in Syria and to elaborate modalities for a nationwide cessation of hostilities.

ESO: Background information: Top diplomats to meet in Munich for Syrian peace effort http://www.europeansources.info/record/top-diplomats-to-meet-in-munich-for-syrian-peace-effort/

ESO: Background information: EU pleads with Turkey to accept refugees fleeing Aleppo offensive http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-pleads-with-turkey-to-accept-refugees-fleeing-aleppo-offensive/

EurActiv, 15.02.16: Turkey says will continue shelling Syrian Kurds http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/turkey-says-will-continue-shelling-of-kurds-in-syria/

BBC News, 13.02.16: Syria conflict: Turkey shells Kurdish militia http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35571663

The Guardian, 13.02.16: Turkish PM confirms shelling of Kurdish forces in Syria http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/13/turkey-shells-kurdish-forces-in-syria-in-retaliation-for-attack-on-border-posts

Hürriyet Daily News, 15.02.16: Turkey will continue to strike back at PYD in Syria, PM tells Merkel http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-will-continue-to-strike-back-at-pyd-in-syria-pm-tells-merkel-.aspx?pageID=238&nid=95193&NewsCatID=510

BBC News, 15.02.16: Turkey issues new threats to Kurdish forces in Syria http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35576458

BBC News, 15.02.16: Syria calls for UN action on Turkish attacks on Kurds http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35576153

The Guardian, 14.02.16: Syria: Turkey and Saudi Arabia consider ground campaign following border strikes http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/14/turkey-and-saudi-arabia-consider-ground-campaign-in-syria-following-border-strikes

EUObserver, 15.02.16: Turkey clashes with allies over attack on Syria Kurds https://euobserver.com/foreign/132261

Hürriyet Daily News, 15.02.16: [Opinion] A dangerous escalation on the Turkey-Syria border http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/a-dangerous-escalation-on-the-turkey-syria-border.aspx?pageID=449&nID=95174&NewsCatID=409

Deutsche Welle, 15.02.16: France urges Turkey to stop Syria shelling http://dw.com/p/1HvPt

Sputnik International, 15.02.16: Turkey’s Attacks on Syrian Kurds Exposes Deep Rift in US-Led Coalition http://sptnkne.ws/aCMX

Today's Zaman, 15.02.16: Turkey continues to shell PYD, threatens ‘harshest’ reaction, criticizes Russia, US http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_turkey-continues-to-shell-pyd-threatens-harshest-reaction-criticizes-russia-us_412403.html

EurActiv, 16.02.16: Turkey accuses Russia of ‘obvious war crime’ http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/turkey-accuses-russia-of-obvious-war-crime/

Today's Zaman, 17.02.16: Deputy PM: Turkey wants secure strip on Syrian side of border, including Azaz http://www.todayszaman.com/diplomacy_deputy-pm-turkey-wants-secure-strip-on-syrian-side-of-border-including-azaz_412533.html

---