Merkel Calls for Immediate End to Turkey Operations in Syria
Merkel told Erdogan that, regardless of justified Turkish security interests, the incursion may displace the population.
(Bloomberg) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for an immediate end to Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria during a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Merkel told Erdogan that, regardless of justified Turkish security interests, the incursion risks displacing a large part of the local population, destabilizing the region and leading to a resurgence of Islamic State, German government spokeswoman Ulrike Demmer said in a statement. The call was made at Erdogan’s request, she said.
The two leaders also discussed Turkish gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, according to the statement, which didn’t elaborate.
To contact the reporter on this story: Tony Czuczka in New York at aczuczka@bloomberg.net
To contact the editor responsible for this story: James Ludden at jludden@bloomberg.net
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