‘Turkey’s attacks in Syria to fuel tension’

French President Francois Hollande warned on Tuesday that “contradictory interventions” by Turkish and Russian forces in Syria could spark an escalation of the conflict.

“These multiple, contradictory interventions carry the risk of a wider conflagration,” Mr Hollande said in a meeting with the diplomatic corps in France, calling for an “absolutely urgent” halt to fighting after Turkey attacked a US-backed Kurdish militia in Syria.

“Syria is living a terrible tragedy for the past five years,” Mr Hollande said.

He said the country’s shattered second city Aleppo endured a “large-scale humanitarian catastrophe”.

Calling for an “immediate” ceasefire, he added: “For nearly a year, Russia is supporting the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who is using this support to bomb rebels as well as civilian populations, which plays into the hands of extremists of all kinds.”

He said it was “perfectly understandable” for Turkey to seek to defend itself against the Islamic State group “after the attacks that this country suffered, and to control its border” with Syria.

However, Mr Hollande said Turkey was now also carrying out “actions against Kurds who are themselves fighting IS with the support of the (US-led) coalition.”The Turkish forces last week launched a two-pronged operation against ISIS and Kurdish fighters.