France warns Turkey over incursion into Syria

France is calling on Turkey to avoid taking any unilateral action in northern Syria that could hinder the ongoing fight against the Islamic State group.

A statement from the French foreign ministry warns Turkey’s threatened military incursion into northern Syria could “hurt regional stability” and not help with the return of refugees to the area — as Ankara has promised.

The statement comes hours after the White House’s announcement it is pulling US troops from northern Syria, clearing the way for an expected Turkish assault against Kurdish fighters who have been key allies in the campaign against the Islamic State group.

More French fighters joined the extremist group than any other European nationality. France has been reluctant to allow the jihadists home, even to face trial.

— AP