22 January 2018•Update: 22 January 2018
By Tugrul Cam
ANKARA
France said Monday it has called a UN Security Council meeting to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
In a note to member states of the Security Council, the permanent mission of France to the UN said it wants to “bring the humanitarian crisis in Syria to the and to discuss the latest developments in the area”.
The note added that France had not called for a separate emergency meeting at the Security Council but wanted to discuss it as a usual topic on the agenda.
On Sunday, France called for an emergency meeting of the Security Council on Syria.
It is evident from the contents of the note that Turkey’s operation in Syria will not be discussed at the meeting.
Separately on Sunday, the French Embassy in Turkey tweeted: “France will stress in particular the urgency of ensuring humanitarian access.”
Turkey on Saturday launched Operation Olive Branch to remove PYD/PKK and Daesh terrorists from Syria's northern Afrin district.
According to Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people from the oppression and cruelty of terrorists.
The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey’s rights based on international law, UN Security Council’s decisions, self-defense rights under the UN charter and respect to Syria's territorial integrity, it said.
The military also said the "utmost importance" was being given to not harm any civilian.
Afrin has been a major hideout for the PYD/PKK since July 2012 when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without putting up a fight.
