Lavrov Expresses Russia's Concern Over Turkey-Led Military Operation in Syria

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday expressed Russia's concern over the ongoing military operation by the Turkish army and Ankara-backed Syrian opposition in northern Syria, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu briefed Lavrov in a phone call on the progress of the Euphrates Shield operation to clear Syrian town of Jarabulus of the Islamic State jihadist group, outlawed in Russia.

"The sides exchanged opinions on the situation in Syria. Lavrov expressed Moscow's concern over the actions by the Turkish army and Ankara-backed opposition units in northern Syria and their potential impact on peace efforts in the Syrian conflict," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, the ministers also agreed that the sides will continue expert consultations on coordination of actions in line with UNSC resolutions on Syria.

On August 24, Ankara announced that Turkish forces, backed by US-led coalition aircraft, had begun a military operation dubbed Euphrates Shield to clear Jarabulus of the Daesh jihadist group, outlawed in Russia. Syrian Kurds and Damascus have accused Ankara of violating the territorial integrity of the country.

After recapturing the town, Turkish troops began shelling US-backed Kurdish forces located south of the town. US officials urged both Turkey and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) to focus on fighting the Daesh, not one another.