PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Syria: Turkey (20 December 2018)

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if he will make representations to his Turkish counterpart to ensure that any military action in Northern Syria should not seek to evict the Kurdish population that lives there.

Asked by:
Rosie Duffield (Independent)

We are concerned about reports of a Turkish military offensive in North East Syria, and have made these concerns clear to Turkey. In the event of military activity, the UK expects all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and aid workers, and to allow unhindered humanitarian access so aid can reach those in need. We continue to advocate for freedom of movement for civilians caught up in violence across Syria.

Our priority is to end the conflict in Syria through a negotiated political settlement: we believe only an inclusive, non-sectarian government can unite the country and protect the rights of all Syrians.

Answered by:
Sir Alan Duncan (Conservative)
9 January 2019