German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that Germany will only support Turkey in the fight against terrorism on condition that military operations are “proportionate” and in accordance with international law. Faeser also urged against the escalation of violence.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, who made a two-day visit to Ankara, said on Tuesday that any fight against terrorism “must be carried out in accordance with the law of the states and by protecting the civilian population.”
Faeser emphasised that although they stand by Turkey in the fight against terrorism, it is necessary to be “proportionate” and to protect civilians. “I call for the prevention of escalation of violence,” said Faeser.
Reacting to Germany’s critical attitude towards Turkey’s cross-border operations, Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said, “No one talks about proportion when it comes to the innocent people murdered on Istiklal Avenue.”
Soylu added, “NATO stood up because two bombs fell on Poland. People cannot be separated according to their geography, language, religion, and the regions they live in.”
Germany on Monday called on Turkey to act in accordance with international law. German Foreign Ministry Spokesman Christofer Burger addressed “extremely worrying” reports of civilian victims in Turkish Armed Forces’ air raids on Kurdish regions in north and east Syria and northern Iraq. “Civilians must be protected at all times,” Burger said.