Qatar says it supports Turkey’s Afrin operation

DOHA – Anadolu Agency

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry on Jan. 22 said it supports Turkey’s military operation in Syria’s Afrin district, adding that the offensive was motivated by legitimate security concerns.

“The launching of the Turkish military operation on Jan. 20 was motivated by legitimate concerns related to its national security and the security of its borders, in addition to protecting Syria’s territorial integrity from the danger of secession,” Qatar’s official QNA news agency quoted ministry spokesperson Lulwah Rashid Al Khater as saying.

“Turkey, a NATO member, has always been a stabilizing factor in the region,” she said.

Al Khater added that Qatar is “fully confident of the Turkish Republic’s keenness to preserve the safety of civilians and the unity of Syrian territory.”

On Jan. 22, Turkey launched Operation Olive Branch to remove the People’s Protection Units (YPG) from Afrin.

According to the Turkish General Staff, the operation aims to establish security and stability along Turkish borders and the region as well as to protect the Syrian people.