Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald TD has condemned the Turkish military invasion in northern Syria saying that the attacks “will destabilise the region and hamper the fight against ISIS”.

Teachta McDonald said:

“Yesterday the Turkish military invaded northern Syria. Their aim is to occupy Kurdish areas and to attack the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

“The SDF liberated areas under ISIS control, rescued tens of thousands of captured Yazidis, and established democratic political structures that respected the rights of minorities. They are now under attack from NATO’s second largest army.

“We have already seen the human rights violations that the Turkish army have committed against Kurds in south-east Turkey and it is clear their brutal tactics will be replicated in northern Syria.

“Turkey’s attacks will destabilise the region and hamper the fight against ISIS and should be condemned.

“I call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to condemn this military operation and outline what Ireland’s response will be.”