Violation of Syria’s Territorial Integrity to Exacerbate Problems: Iran Speaker
Speaking in a meeting with Syrian ambassador to Iran Adnan Mahmoud, Larijani said Iran supports efforts for stability and security in the Arab country.
He added that violation of Syria’s territorial integrity worsens its people’s problems.
Mahmoud, for his part, deplored Turkish incursion into northern Syria and said despite a ceasefire announced last week, Ankara continues its aggression against the Arab country.
He also thanked Iran for its efforts to resolve the crisis.
Turkey launched the cross-border operation on October 9 after repeatedly threatening to clear the border area of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) fighters, which it considers a “terrorist” group.
On Thursday, Turkey and the US agreed to a temporary ceasefire in the offensive to allow Kurdish fighters withdraw from a planned so-called “safe zone”.
Ankara says the campaign, dubbed Operation Peace Spring, would allow the repatriation of some of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees Turkey hosts on its soil.
The Turkish military had previously launched two cross-border incursions in northern Syria, namely “Euphrates Shield” in August 2016 and “Olive Branch” in January 2018, with the declared aim of eradicating Kurdish militants and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.
