Moscow concerned about situation in northern Syria, urges parties to display restraint - Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW. Jan 31 (Interfax) - The situation in northern Syria causes serious concern in Moscow, and Russia has urged the parties to show restraint, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday.
"We are continuing to follow the course of events in northern Syria, and it causes us serious concern," Zakharova said at a press briefing.
Turkish authorities have declared that their military operation in Afrin in northern Syria is in line with states' right to self-defense as guaranteed by the UN Charter and that the operation is aimed at eliminating terrorist groups, Zakharova said.
"Based on incoming reports, several hundred people, including civilians, have already been killed in the ten days since hostilities began," she said.
Zakharova reaffirmed Russia's position in support of Syria's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.