MOSCOW (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov — On Wednesday, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov urged international human rights watchdogs, including MSF, to heed the attacks on Syrian border settlements launched from the Turkish territory, which he described as "criminal."
"MSF is a medical humanitarian organization, providing care to people that need it, regardless of where they come from, their political affiliation or religion. We speak out when military attacks have a direct impact on our patients, staff or health structures," the spokesperson said.
On February 13, Turkish artillery began shelling positions held by the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish group with links to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD), in Syria's Aleppo province.
According to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, the shelling was a retaliatory measure within the rules of engagement.
On Monday, US State Department's Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner reiterated Washington’s call on Turkey to stop shelling Kurdish positions in Syria in light of the US-Russian plan for the cessation of hostilities in the country.
