France, Germany halts arms sale, world reacts on Turkey 'incursion'

France has suspended all planned exports of "war materials" to Turkey that could be used in their offensive into Syria, said a statement from the foreign and defence ministries Saturday.  A meeting in Luxembourg Monday of the European Union's foreign affairs committee will decide on a coordinated European approach to the issue, the statement said. 

The Foreign Minister of France said, "[It is] dangerous for the security of the Kurds. Dangerous because it benefits Islamic State, which we have been fighting for five years. It must stop."

Along with France, even Germany stopped weapon trade with Turkey.  Heiko Maas, Germany's Foreign Minister told an international news organisation, that "against the background of the Turkish military offensive in northeastern Syria, the government will not issue any new permissions for any weapons that can be used by Turkey in Syria."

Ministry of External Affairs expressed concerns over the "unilateral military offensive" by Turkey in north-east Syria. It further called upon Turkey to "exercise restraint and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria." Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, said, "Turkey’s actions can undermine stability in the region and the fight against terrorism. Its action also has the potential for causing humanitarian and civilian distress." 

World reacts to Turkey's military operation

US

The US President warned Turkey from taking a step that is “considered to be off-limits” further, threatened to “totally destroy and obliterate the Economy of Turkey."

He said, though the US troops are in the process of leaving Syria, they have not abandoned the Kurds calling them ‘special and wonderful’ fighters. Trump justified his move by stating that the US is helping the Kurds financially and with weapons. Trump, "The United States does not endorse this attack and has made it clear to Turkey that this operation is a bad idea."

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Russia

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin has demanded Turkey Forces, illegitimately deployed in Syria to leave, so as to restore the territorial integrity of the country. Putin's statement during an interview with state media comes in wake of the Turkish military operation against Kurdish fighters in Syria, which dramatically escalated after US President Donald Trump decided to pull out the US troops from the region. Putin stressed the need for dialogue among countries to iron out differences.

Arab countries

Egypt's Foreign Minister has criticised the Turkish authorities, calling the offensive "a blatant and unacceptable attack on the sovereignty of a brotherly Arab state." Moreover, the country has called for an urgent meeting of the League of Arab States

Tehran asked Ankara to immediately stop its military offensive on the Kurdish ruled northeastern Syria. Iran's Foreign Minister said, "Iran... emphasises (the need for) an immediate halt to the assault and the departure of Turkish military units from Syrian territory." 

Iraq President Barham Salih, on Twitter, called Turkey's military "incursion" a "grave escalation." He further claimed that this move may "empower terrorist groups."  Salih said, "[It] will cause untold humanitarian suffering, empower terrorist groups. The world must unite to avert a catastrophe, promote a political resolution to the rights of all Syrians, including Kurds, to peace, dignity, and security."

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A US ally, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry in a statement said that the Turkish military's "aggression" would have "negative repercussions on the security and stability of the region." It further said that Ankara's move is "undermining the international efforts in combating ISIS organisation."

Another US ally in the Middle East, UAE, stated that the aggression depicts blatant, unacceptable aggression and that stands against Syrian sovereignty. Kuwait called Turkey's move, a threat to stability and peace in the region. Bahrain too joined the regional states to condemn Turkey's aggression and called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League Council.

European countries

Along with France, crucial European countries like Italy, Netherlands, and Denmark have raised their concerns over the military move of the Turkish forces in Syria. 

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(With AP inputs)