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Pakistan supports Turkey’s Syria offensive
ISLAMABAD, Oct 12, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Pakistan has offered rare backing to
Turkey in its offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria, with President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan expected to visit Islamabad later this month.
Turkey on Wednesday launched an offensive in northern Syria targeting the
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, a key US ally in the five-year battle
to crush the Islamic State group. The SDF lost 11,000 fighters in the US-led
campaign.
It is Turkey’s third such operation since the start of the war in Syria and
has been met with international condemnation.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, however, called Erdogan on Friday to “convey
Pakistan’s support and solidarity,” his office said.
“The prime minister told him that Pakistan fully understands Turkey’s
concerns relating to terrorism,” it said, adding “Pakistan is fully cognizant
of the threats and challenges being faced by Turkey having lost 40,000 of its
people to terrorism”.
Khan told Erdogan that “Pakistan stands in full support and solidarity with
Turkey,” it said.
“We pray that Turkey’s efforts for enhanced security, regional stability
and peaceful resolution of the Syrian situation are fully successful,” Khan
was quoted as saying.
Khan’s office said Erdogan would visit Pakistan later this month.
President Donald Trump has faced a firestorm of criticism for appearing to
greenlight Turkey’s offensive into northeastern Syria, which began after
Trump ordered US troops to pull back from the border.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Friday Trump had authorised —
but not yet activated — “very significant new sanctions” to dissuade Turkey
from further offensive military action.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1413 hrs