EU urges Turkey to refrain from 'unilateral' Syria move

ANKARA-The European Union's foreign policy chief on Saturday asked Turkey to forgo any unilateral military action in Syria, where Ankara has threatened a fresh offensive against a Kurdish militia.

"The statements of a possible Turkish military operation in northeast Syria are a source of concern," Federica Mogherini said in a statement.

"We share the goal of ending violence, defeating terrorism and promoting stability in Syria and the wider region. We expect the Turkish authorities therefore to refrain from any unilateral action likely to undermine the efforts of the Counter-Daesh Coalition or to risk further instability in Syria," she added, using the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State group.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey will launch a new operation in Syria within days against the Kurdish People's Protection Units (also known as the YPG) militia, which have Washington's support but which Ankara considers a terrorist group.

Meanwhile, on Friday, Erdogan and his US counterpart Donald Trump agreed to make more efficient coordination on Syrian issues during a phone conversation.

Trump and Erdogan "agreed to ensure more effective cooperation on the subject of Syria" during the telephone call, a Turkish presidential source said.

According to the statement by the Turkish presidency, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations, security and anti-terrorism issues, and especially the recent developments in Syria.

Erdogan expressed Turkey's legitimate concern over the presence and actions of People's Protection Units and other Kurdish militias in northern Syria, the statement said.

Earlier on Friday, Erdogan said he is "determined to bring peace and security to areas east of the Euphrates" River in Syria's north.

He also strongly criticized Washington's support of the YPG, which has caused tensions between the NATO allies in recent years.

Tensions have spiked in recent weeks after the US set up observation posts in the northeast Syria border region intended to prevent altercations between the Turkish army and the YPG.

Erdogan has slammed the plan, claiming that Turkey was not being protected from terrorists but "terrorists were being protected" from possible action by Turkey.

Adding to the heated debate, a Turkish soldier was shot dead by YPG forces on Thursday in the northern Syrian region of Afrin, according to Turkey's defense ministry.

If Turkey does launch an operation east of the Euphrates, where US forces are deployed with the SDF, a point of contention will be the city of Manbij, just west of the river.

Ankara regards the YPG as the Syrian affiliate of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (also known as the PKK), which has been listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States and EU.

Turkish forces will enter the Syrian town of Manbij if the US does not remove YPG fighters, Erdogan said earlier on Friday in Istanbul.

The Pentagon has warned that any "unilateral military action into northeast Syria by any party, particularly as US personnel may be present or in the vicinity, is of grave concern".

AFP/XINHUA