Turkey: UN's Ceasefire Resolution Not to Affect Afrin Operation

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The United Nations Security Council has demanded a 30-day ceasefire in Syria to enable delivery of humanitarian aid to millions and evacuations of the sick and the wounded.

Russia's Permanent Representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia had argued that implementation of the resolution prepared by Sweden and Kuwait, the latter Council President for February, would not be possible.

However, in yesterday's (February 24) session held at 12:00 pm local time (8:00 pm Turkey time), the 15 members of the Council voted unanimously for a month of "humanitarian pause" in Syria.

Ceasefire concerns all of Syria

The resolution calls for a month-long humanitarian ceasefire in Syria to enable delivery of humanitarian aid and medical evacuations especially of 700 people in eastern Ghouta, besieged by regime forces.

The country-wide humanitarian ceasefire resolution demands a lifting of the siege on 4 regions including eastern Ghouta, besieged by regime forces and under alarming humanitarian condition, and a halt of all military operations.

Turkey: Afrin operation will go on

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Hami Aksoy, in his answer to a question on the subject, said the ceasefire resolution concerning the whole of Syria would not affect Turkey's "Olive Branch" offensive in the Afrin region:

"On one hand, Turkey will continue its contribution to relieving the pain of Syria's people on the humanitarian plane, as it always has, and its support of the efforts of the international community, foremost the UN, in this regard; on the other hand, it will persevere to end the dispute at the root of the humanitarian crisis in Syria, and to fight the terrorist organizations that jeopardize the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria." (TP/PU)