Boris calls Erdoğan

The Prime Minister has phoned President Erdoğan of Turkey to express his "grave concern" about the situation in northern Syria, calling on Turkey to end its military operation in the area.

In a telephone call to the Turkish leader, Boris Johnson voiced his concern that the action could worsen the humanitarian situation in the region and undermine the fight against DA'ESH (the so-called "Islamic State.")

The news of this phone call comes as aid agencies warn of a humanitarian crisis after 100,000 refugees have fled the violence as Turkey pushes further into Syria.

Mr Johnson called on President Erdoğan to enter into dialogue with a view to reaching agreement on a ceasefire.

A Number 10 spokesman said: "He expressed the UK’s grave concern about Turkey’s military operation in northern Syria which he said could further worsen the humanitarian situation there and undermine the progress made against Daesh."

 Meanwhile Turkey says it has locked up more than a hundred people for criticising the Turkish military action in Syria - and they seem to regard it as grounds for investigation to state the obvious, e.g. to call it an invasion.

Suleyman Soylu, Turkey's interior minister, said 121 people were detained for social media posts critical of the military operation in northern Syria. Nearly 500 people were investigated for characterising Turkey as an "invading" force and "insulting" the offensive, he added.

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