Egypt rallies Arab states against Turkey in Syria
Cairo is capitalizing on anger over the Turkish intervention in Syria to unite the Arab ranks in support of Damascus.
CAIRO — Egypt is working to unite Arab states against Turkey's military presence in northern Syria and in support of Damascus’ efforts to regain its seat in the Arab League.
At Cairo's initiative, the Arab League formed a committee of foreign ministers to address what it called "Turkish interventions in Arab affairs" on Sept. 9. During a speech to the body, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called the deployment of Turkish forces in Syria an “occupation.” The group is headed by Egypt and counts among its members Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Iraq.
“The blatant Turkish interventions … are continuing in Syria,” he said.
Against the backdrop of Turkey’s Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria in October 2019, Egypt called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League. The summit's closing statement urged the immediate pullout of Turkish forces from Syria.
