UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) — Over the past month, Turkish forces have repeatedly attacked Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) positions in northern Syria, arguing that the Kurdish militia is a terrorist group that threatens Turkish security.
The UN Security Council has scheduled a closed-doors meeting on the issue later on Friday as Moscow has expressed concern over possible plans by Turkey to carry out a military incursion in Syria.
The UNSC's five permanent members are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the army loyal to President Bashar Assad fighting several opposition factions and militant groups, including Daesh, which is outlawed in Russia and many other countries.
Moscow, which considers Assad to be the legitimate authority in Syria, launched an anti-terrorist air campaign in the country at Assad’s request in September 2015.
Russia has also been assisting the devastated Syrian population with humanitarian aid, and has served as an active mediator at the Syria talks in a bid to help facilitate an exclusively political solution to the ongoing conflict.
