Turkey angrily rejected international criticism of its attack on a Kurdish militia in Syria, reporting progress by its forces on the second day of an operation that world powers fear could further destabilise a region in turmoil.
Taking aim at the European Union and Arab powers Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which have voiced opposition to the operation, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said those objecting to Turkey’s actions were “not honest”.
He threatened to permit Syrian refugees in Turkey to move to Europe if EU countries described his forces’ move as an occupation.
NATO-ally Turkey has said it intends to create a “safe zone” for the return of millions of refugees to Syria. But world powers fear Turkey’s action could intensify the conflict, and runs the risk of Islamic State prisoners escaping from camps amid the chaos.
