Media report: France announces steps to protect its own troops in Syria

After an emergency meeting of the Defense Cabinet, Paris announced steps to ensure the safety of French troops and civilians in northern Syria.

Measures would be taken in the coming hours, reports Reuters, citing the presidential palace. The soldiers and civilians are part of the international coalition against the terrorist organization "Islamic State" (IS).

Further details were not known at first. French officials had previously said that a US withdrawal from Syria would force France to abandon the operation, as French troops needed US logistical support. The US government announced on Sunday the withdrawal of about 1,000 soldiers from northern Syria.

On Wednesday, Turkey's invasion of the area began. The target of the attack is the Kurdish militia YPG, which controls a large area on the Syrian side of the border (read more here).

The government in Ankara sees it as an offshoot of the banned Kurdish Workers' Party PKK in Turkey and thus a terrorist organization. For the US, the "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF) led by the Kurdish YPG were a reliable ally in the fight against the terrorist militia "Islamic State". Trump is therefore now accused of betraying the Kurds.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron called for an immediate end to the Turkish military offensive in Syria on Sunday. "We have a common desire to end the offensive," said the French president. He cited as reasons the consequences for the people in the region and a possible strengthening of the IS.

EU foreign ministers discuss consequences

In Luxembourg, EU foreign ministers will discuss possible reactions to the Turkish military operation on Monday. In the run-up to the talks, Sweden has openly argued for an EU-wide arms embargo on Turkey and, in the event of a worsening situation, also proposes economic sanctions or sanctions against individuals. The French government has also raised the issue of sanctions. It is, however, unlikely that there will be an EU decision quickly towards sanctions.