WELLINGTON, Oct. 15 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said Tuesday that New Zealand continues to have serious concerns over peace and stability in northeast Syria.
"Recent reports that hundreds of ISIS-affiliated families have fled from a camp are deeply concerning from a humanitarian and security perspective," Peters said.
"While we acknowledge Turkey's domestic security concerns, Turkey's cross-border actions risk harming civilian populations, causing further instability and exacerbating humanitarian needs. The actions also undermine gains made in the fight against ISIL (Da'esh), which the Global Coalition and its local partners have fought so hard to achieve."
Peters noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade had raised its concerns directly with the Turkish Ambassador to New Zealand.
"Despite the loss of territory once held by Da'esh, the group remains a threat and there are real risks that Da'esh may take advantage of the Turkish offensive to re-establish itself in Syria."
"We call on Turkey to comply with international law, including the UN Charter and international humanitarian law."
"We urge all parties to exercise restraint and to find a political solution to the conflict in Syria. This is the only way to bring peace to the people of Syria," said Peters.
Turkey on Oct. 9 started Operation Peace Spring to eliminate the People's Protection Units (YPG), which it sees as terrorist affiliation of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey's borders, and aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees.
