Iran has issued warnings to Turkey over its offensive, supported by Syrian rebels, against the Kurdish canton of Afrin in northwest Syria.
Tehran was initially reticent about the Turkish operations, which began on Friday with shelling and continued with airstrikes on Saturday. However, as the Turkey-rebel ground advance began yesterday, the head of the Iranian military, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Baqeri (pictured), said the offensive must not affect Syria’s “territorial integrity, independence, and national sovereignty”.
See also Syria Daily, Jan 22: Turkish-Rebel Offensive Moves Into Kurdish Territory of Afrin
Baqeri said he had spoken with Turkish counterpart Gen. Hulusi Akar on Sunday, asking for assurances that Turkey “does not covet any part of the Syrian soil”.
The commander said the assault on Afrin must not pave the way for exploitation by enemies of the Assad regime and the Muslim world, especially the US and its allies.
Earlier on Sunday the Iranian Foreign Ministry introduced Iran’s stronger line against the offensive. Spokesman Bahram Qassemi said, “The continuation of the crisis in Afrin may lead to restrengthening of Takfiri-terrorist groups in Syria’s northern areas and once again fan the flames of war and destruction in this country.”
Iran and Turkey had been on opposite sides since Syria’s uprising began in March 2011, with Tehran propping up the Assad regime and Ankara backing the Syrian opposition and rebels. However, since 2016 the two countries have been working with Russia on a purported political process for a resolution of the conflict.
