Turkish Council Calls For Safe Zone In Northern Syria

Ankara, 16 Jumadil Akhir 1437/ 25 March 2016 (MINA) –  Turkey’s National Security Council has reiterated the need for establishing a safe no-fly zone in northern Syria in the interest of establishing peace in the war-torn country.

Days after the recent spate of suicide attacks in Ankara, Istanbul, and Brussels, the council gathered under the chairmanship of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkish capital Thursday and released a written statement, focusing on the Syria issue and counter-terrorism efforts, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

According to the statement, Turkey’s offer to create a safe no-fly zone in Syria is the “right and significant” solution.

The council called on the UN and international community to take more responsibility in order to ensure stability in the region.

It emphasized that terrorism constitutes a threat without making any discrimination on religion, language, race and nationality.

It once again reiterated that Turkey will “resolutely” fight against any terror threats.

The statement also said Turkey’s proposal — supported by the EU– on resolving the refugee issue should be implemented “as soon as possible”.

Turkey is hosting the largest number of Syrian refugees in the world and has spent more than seven billion euros ($7.7 billion) on meeting their needs.

Syria has remained locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, more than 250,000 people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN figures. (T/P010/R07)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)