Merkel's 'unfortunate statement' on Afrin operation unacceptable, Turkish MFA says

Turkey considers German Chancelor Angela Merkel's unfortunate statement unacceptable and finds Germany's pro-terror group [PKK/YPG] point of view strange, a statement of the Turkish foreign ministry said late Wednesday.

The statement called on Turkey's allies to make efforts for the establishment of permanent peace, security and stability in Syria, underlining the importance of close coordination and consultation. The ministry also warned allies against giving credit to anti-Turkey disinformation and supporting terror groups.

Merkel condemned earlier on Wednesday Turkey's counter-terror operation in Syria's northwestern Afrin as "unacceptable" and condemned Russia for "just watching" the continuing attacks by Assad regime forces on eastern Ghouta.

Merkel said Turkey's Operation Olive Branch was "unacceptable" despite its security interests. "I'm also condemning this in the strongest terms," she added.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed the counter-terror operation in Syria late Wednesday in a phone call.

During the call, both officials also reiterated willingness to improve bilateral relations.

As part of Operation Olive Branch, launched Jan. 20 to clear YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists from the Afrin region, Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Free Syrian Army (FSA) on Sunday entered Afrin town center and liberated it from terrorists.

According to the Turkish General Staff, Operation Olive Branch aims to establish security and stability along Turkey's borders and the region as well as protect Syrians from terrorist cruelty and oppression.

The operation is being carried out under the framework of Turkey's rights based on international law, U.N. Security Council resolutions, its self-defense rights under the U.N. charter, and respect for Syria's territorial integrity, it said.

The military also said only terror targets are being destroyed and "utmost care" is being taken to avoid harming civilians.

Afrin has been a major hideout for the YPG/PKK since July 2012, when the Assad regime in Syria left the city to the terror group without a fight.