How far will Egypt go to defend Syria?
Egypt has been spearheading efforts to halt Turkey's offensive in Syria and hosted an emergency Arab League meeting, but is this enough?
CAIRO — Arab foreign ministers held an emergency meeting at the Arab League headquarters on Oct. 12, at the invitation of Egypt, to discuss the ongoing Turkish offensive on northeastern Syria launched Oct. 9.
In the final communique of the meeting, the Arab ministers condemned the “Turkish aggression against Syria,” demanding Turkey's immediate and unconditional withdrawal from all Syrian territory. The final statement warned that the league will consider taking measures against Turkey, including severing diplomatic ties, halting military cooperation, and downgrading economic, cultural and tourism cooperation.
Speaking at the meeting, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit labeled the Turkish attack “an invasion of the territory of an Arab state and an aggression against its sovereignty.” In turn, Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali al-Hakim warned of “this dangerous escalation that will exacerbate humanitarian crises and enhance the ability of terrorist groups to reorganize their remnants.”
Ambassador Ahmed al-Quesni, Egypt's assistant foreign minister for Arab affairs, told Al-Monitor in a telephone interview that Egypt's call for an emergency Arab League meeting aims to reach a coherent Arab position on the Turkish aggression on Syrian territory, which is also being discussed at the UN Security Council. “It is crucial for the international community to find a clear Arab position formulated collectively within the framework of the Arab League, especially as this offensive threatens regional security.”
