Turkey evacuates troops from tomb in Syria
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 22 February 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Turkey evacuates troops from tomb in Syria, 22 February 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/550940f515.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
February 22, 2015
Hundreds of Turkish troops in military vehicles have entered the Syrian town of Kobani and evacuated an Ottoman tomb and dozens of Turkish soldiers guarding it.
Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on February 22 the operation that took place overnight was "highly successful."
Davutoglu said Turkey had not sought permission or assistance for the mission but had informed allies in the international coalition against the militant group Islamic State after the operation began.
Syria denounced what it called a "blatant aggression" by Turkey. In a statement read out on state television, the Syrian government said Turkey had informed the Syrian consulate in Istanbul about the operation but had not awaited Syria's agreement.
Davutoglu said the tomb of Suleyman Shah, the grandfather of the Ottoman Empire's founder, would be sent to a "new location in Syria." He didn't elaborate.
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and BBC
Link to original story on RFE/RL website