Syrian letters to UN blast Turkey's 'expansionist delusions'

Turkish army tanks drive to the Syrian city of Jarablus on August 25, 2016. (Photo by AFP)

Damascus has written to the United Nations, denouncing Turkish forces’ recent incursions into the Syrian territory as a proof of Ankara’s partnership in terrorism plaguing the Arab country.

In two letters addressed to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the world body’s Security Council, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates blasted on Thursday Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for adopting a “policy of aggression and expansionist delusions” in Syria.

The letters cited Turkey’s fresh attacks in the city of Azaz, the town of Akhtarin and the neighborhood of Jibrin, all situated in Syria’s northern Aleppo Province.

“Erdogan’s acts grossly contravene the international legitimacy, the goals and principles of the UN Charter and the resolutions of the international Security Council that affirm the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of Syria,” the letters read.

Turkey’s attacks are part of the Ankara government’s “subversive role” in Syria, which makes it the “main partner” in terrorism and conspiracy against Damascus that threaten regional and international security and stability, they added.

The letters also reminded the UN about Syria’s previous letters to the world body that condemned Turkey’s occupation of the Syrian land, support for terrorist groups and construction of walls along the Syrian border.

They further stressed the Syrian people and army’s resolve to defend every inch of their territory and combating “the Takfiri terrorism supported and endorsed by Erdogan’s regime.”

The silence of the UN Security Council towards Turkey’s measures would embolden it to continue defying the will of the international community that seeks to put an end to the Syria crisis, the letters concluded.

In August 2016, Turkey began a unilateral military intervention in northern Syria, code-named Operation Euphrates Shield. Ankara claimed that the campaign was aimed at pushing Daesh terrorists from Turkey's border with Syria and stopping the advance of Kurdish forces.

Turkey ended its Syria offensive in March 2017, but has kept its military presence there.

In recent weeks, Turkey has sent reinforcements into areas near the Kurdish-held districts of Aleppo, such as Afrin, raising fears of further clashes in the region.

A member of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) carries ammunition in Raqqah, Syria, June 21, 2017. (Photo by Reuters)

Earlier this week, Commander Sipan Hemo, of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), accused Turkey of preparing for a major military campaign in Aleppo.

"These (Turkish) preparations have reached the level of a declaration of war and could lead to the outbreak of actual clashes in the coming days," he told Reuters. "We will not stand idly by against this potential aggression."

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said the military preparations were legitimate measures against a threat from Kurdish forces.