Syria denies Turkish government informed it of 'brutal Afrin attack'

The Syrian government condemned Turkish air strikes against the Afrin region and said Ankara had not informed it of the military operation
Saturday, 20 January 2018 21:47

The Syrian government on Saturday denied Turkey had informed it of its planned military operation against Afrin.

"Syria completely denies claims by the Turkish regime that it was informed of this military operation," a foreign ministry source told state news agency SANA.

"Syria strongly condemns the brutal Turkish aggression on Afrin, which is an inseparable part of Syrian territory," the source said. The source added that Turkey's move was yet another violation of Syria's sovereignty.

Earlier in the day, the Turkish General Staff declared the launch of the operation dubbed Olive Branch against the Kurdish forces in Afrin.

On Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad warned that Syria's air force could destroy any Turkish warplanes used in the new offensive.