Turkey: US missile attack an important step against Syria’s war crimes, no-fly zone needed

ANKARA

The U.S. air strike on a Syrian air base early on April 7 is a “positive response against the al-Assad regime’s war crimes,” Turkish Presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın has stated, calling for a no-fly zone in Syria. 

“What happened in Idlib on Tuesday proved again that the bloody al-Assad regime shows complete disregard for the prospect of a political transition and efforts to enforce the ceasefire,” said Kalın, adding that Turkey once again condemns the chemical attack in Idlib.

“The destruction of the Sharyat airbase marks an important step to ensure that both chemical and conventional attacks against the civilian population do not go unpunished,” he added.

Kalın also stressed the need to “enforce a no-fly zone and create safe zones in Syria without further delay,” in order to “prevent similar massacres” from happening again.

“Moving forward, it is important for the international community to act in unison to end the humanitarian crisis in Syria,” he stated.


Turkey to give full support to steps that ensure accountability: MFA

In a separate written statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry also welcomed the U.S. airstrike. 

“We welcome the operation very positively ... Steps to be taken to ensure that similar offenses do not go unpunished and to guarantee accountability will have the full support of Turkey,” read the statement. 

Turkey will continue to work with the international community in order to “prevent the regime from terrorist and collective punishment against its population and to advance a process that will open the way for a political solution in Syria,” said the ministry.