Turkish PM urges US, Russia to avoid tensions on Syria

By Meryem Goktas

ANKARA

Turkey’s prime minister on Friday urged the U.S. and Russia to avoid initiatives that would "complicate" an already volatile situation in Syria.

"The region has already been paying a great price for civil war and migration. We advise our friends to steer clear of initiatives that would make things even more complicated,” Binali Yildirim told reporters following Friday prayers in the capital Ankara.

Yildirim’s remarks followed dueling remarks by the U.S. and Russia sparked by a tweet by U.S. President Donald Trump.

Yildirim also stressed that the use of chemical weapons is unforgivable.

"The use of chemical weapons, the murder of innocent people, children, will never have a forgivable side, it is shameful," he said.

The Assad regime has been blamed for a chemical attack Saturday night in the city of Douma in Eastern Ghouta, killing 78 civilians and injuring hundreds of others, according to the White Helmets civil defense agency,

Yildirim said that those who are responsible for the chemical attack will “pay the price,” but without harming the efforts of Turkey, Russia, and Iran to build lasting peace in the region.

On April 4, Turkey hosted a tripartite summit on Syria where Turkish, Russian, and Iranian leaders agreed to fight separatism in Syria and also stressed the need for more humanitarian assistance.

, Russian tensions

On Thursday Russia called for the UN Security Council to hold an emergency session amid tensions over the Douma attack.

The meeting is meant to address the possibility of U.S. military action in response to the Assad regime’s alleged use of chemical weapons.

Earlier Thursday, Trump appeared to walk back previous comments warning Russia to brace for missiles which he "will be coming."

"Never said when an attack on Syria would take place. Could be very soon or not so soon at all!" Trump said Thursday on Twitter.

Later, he told reporters a decision will "be made fairly soon".

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said Thursday that Trump has yet to decide on whether he will pursue military action in Syria.