SDF: Turkey used "internationally banned weapons" in northern SyriaNovember 8, 2019 - 10:30 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish forces used “internationally banned weapons” in northern Syria against “more than 30 civilians including children,” according to a senior Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) official, who made a statement to the press in Qamishli, Ruptly reports. “What have happened in Ras al-Ain, Tal Abyad, since the 9th of October and until this moment, where Turkey and its mercenaries continue to pay no attention to the law and to ethics, reached a point where Turkey used internationally banned weapons against our people and targeted more than 30 civilians including children with these internationally banned weapons” Co-chair of the Foreign Relations Commission of the SDF, Abdulkarim Omar said, as quoted by Ruptly. Despite the claims, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) abandoned investigations into the alleged use of white phosphorus at the weekend, as it does not fall within their “purview”. Co-chair of Health and Environment in North Syria Mustafa Juan said that the SDF had passed files proving their claims to international organisations including “Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International and three European embassies.” “We stress, in the self-governing region of northeast Syria, the need for a neutral stance and a continued investigation on the violations made by Turkey of using internationally banned weapons. We also condemn Turkey’s attempts to hide the crime and its attempt to hinder the establishment of international investigation committees.” Omar added. Ankara’s military offensive, dubbed ‘Operation Peace Spring’, began on October 9 with the stated aim of creating a ‘safe zone’ in north-eastern Syria by removing Kurdish forces, who Turkey regards as terrorists. Turkey agreed to pause the assault after reaching a deal with Russia over the conditions for the ‘safe zone’ on October 22. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Government reveals details from Pashinyan’s meeting in border village Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has met with a group of residents of a border village in Armenia’s northern Tavush province Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. |