EP Approves ‘Withdraw from Afrin’ Motion

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In its session held yesterday (March 15) to address the situation in Syria, the European Parliament (EP) approved the motion which calls Turkey to withdraw from Afrin.

The motion, about which the President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said, "Don't be on the tiptoe of expectations, we will not withdraw before our job is done," was voted in Strasbourg and approved with 372 votes in favor and 241 votes against.

Kayhan Karaca from Deutsche Welle reported that the Afrin related paragraph of the motion which was drafted by the parliamentary groups of Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Liberal Democrats and Greens was harshened before the vote.

To the Afrin related part of the motion, the following sentence was added: "The European Parliament expresses its deep concern about Turkey's intervention into the regions in Syria which are under the control of Kurds."

"Negative effect on internal balances in Syria"

Turkey's "Operation Olive Branch" launched into Afrin has "added a new dimension to the conflict in Syria, raising additional humanitarian concerns," as well worries over its effect on the "delicate internal balances in Syria".

The draft resolution stating that reports indicating civilian casualties in Afrin started to come, demands Turkey's withdrawal from Afrin and that Turkey focus on defeating the groups designated as terrorist organization by the UN.

"Declare ceasefire in Syria"

The European Parliament stressed that Turkey's presence in Afrin could leave to "confrontation between Turkish forces and Assad or Russian forces."

"The opening of new fronts in Syria is not in the interest of Turkey's security," the draft read. Call was issued as well for a nationwide ceasefire to be declared in Syria including. (PT/TK/SD)