Iran urges Turkey to show restraint as Ankara launches Syria operation

Al-Monitor Staff

Oct 9, 2019

Turkish civilians look at a Turkish army's convoy driving towards the Syrian border near Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on October 9, 2019. - Turkey launched an assault on Kurdish forces in northern Syria on October 9 with air strikes and artillery fire reported along the border. The Turkish President announced the start of the attack on Twitter, labelling it "Operation Peace Spring". It triggered criticism from Western countries who have allied with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) against th — Turkish civilians look at a Turkish army's convoy driving toward the Syrian border near Akcakale in Sanliurfa province on Oct. 9, 2019. — Photo by BULENT KILIC/AFP via Getty Images

Turkey's military buildup on its border with Syria aimed at crushing Kurdish fighters has fueled worries in Iran, which has remained the key regional ally of President Bashar al-Assad during his country's eight-year conflict.

Addressing a Cabinet meeting Oct. 9, just before Turkey launched a military operation into northern Syria, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani called on Turkey, the "brotherly" country, to exercise "patience" and "reconsider" the planned operation.