Turkish, French presidents discuss Syria over phone
ANKARA – Anadolu Agency
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his counterpart French President Emmanuel Macron discussed Syria over the phone on Jan. 23, according to a Turkish presidential source.
Erdoğan and Macron exchanged views on the latest developments in Syria and Turkey’s “Operation Olive Branch” in Afrin, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.
According to the source, Erdoğan said Turkey had carried out this operation under international law and Article 51 of the United Nations Charter.
Ankara has taken all measures to prevent civilians from being harmed in the operation, the president added.
The source said Erdoğan and Macron agreed to have “close” contact regarding efforts to resolve the Syria crisis.
Turkey on Jan. 20 launched “Operation Olive Branch” to clear Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militants from Afrin in northwestern Syria.
