A ground intervention in Syria is a nightmare scenario

Statement of Georgos Loucaides, AKEL C.C. Spokesperson

AKEL C.C. Press Office, 17th February 2016, Nicosia

The members of the UN Security Council yesterday expressed their concern about the attacks waged by Turkey on the Kurds in northern Syria and urged Ankara to comply with International Law. Turkey’s attacks against Syria are dramatically making the humanitarian situation worse in the country, whilst the scenarios for a ground military intervention are a nightmare scenario for the Syrian people, but also for the peoples of the region and for peace in general. The forces of NATO bear severe responsibilities for Turkey’s increasing aggressiveness against Syria, which in actual fact is serving the terrorist forces of the “Islamic State”.

The eradication of the terrorist forces of the “Islamic State” constitutes a prerequisite for ending the bloody Syrian civil war and this should have been a priority for all the sides. We reiterate that to achieve this goal, it is imperative that specific countries of the G20 group and NATO countries must permanently discontinue every kind of funding, supply of equipment and trade with the Islamic State. Furthermore, the undermining of the forces fighting the Islamic State on the ground must also stop, namely the forces of the Kurds and the Syrian army. The ultimate goal must be a peaceful political solution that should be based on the respect of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria.

At the same time, however, we underline the appeal issued by the members of the United Nations Security Council to all sides to allow immediate and unconditional access for the provision of humanitarian assistance where needed throughout the whole of the Syrian territory.