UN expresses concerns over potential Turkish military offensive in North and East Syria
NEW YORK — The United Nations has voiced serious concerns over Turkey’s threats to launch a new military operation in the Democratic Autonomous Administration of the Region of North and East Syria (DAARNES), cautioning that such actions could destabilize the already fragile region. The warning came from Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, following Turkey’s recent escalatory rhetoric.
In a statement to reporters, Dujarric condemned recent Turkish airstrikes, stressing their destabilizing impact. He highlighted Turkey’s ultimatum demanding the withdrawal of Kurdistan Workers’ Party (Partiya Karkerên Kurdistanê, PKK) fighters from Syria, warning that renewed hostilities would worsen the humanitarian crisis and endanger civilian lives.
Dujarric expressed alarm over escalating violence, particularly a recent drone strike that targeted a civilian convoy near Tishrin Dam. The convoy was en route to protest Turkish aggression when the attack occurred, claiming multiple lives and leaving several others injured. Such incidents have heightened fears of regional instability.
Elham Ahmed, Co-Chair of the DAARNES Foreign Relations Commission, appealed to the United States and France to station military forces along the Syrian-Turkish border. “The US and France have the capacity to secure and protect the border, and we welcome such a military alliance,” Ahmed stated, emphasizing the urgency of international intervention to deter further attacks.