ISLAMABAD – France and Germany have announced that they are imposing animmediate halt to arms exports to Turkey over Ankara’s continued war onKurds in northern Syria.
A joint statement from French foreign and defense ministries on Saturdaysaid Paris had suspended all weapon sales to Turkey, insisting that theoffensive launched into northeastern Syria was a threat to Europeansecurity.
“In expectation of the end of this offensive, France has decided to suspendall plans to export to Turkey weapons that could be used in this offensive.This decision is with immediate effect,” said the statement.
The announcement came hours after Germany also said it had suspended allweapons sales to Turkey, a move that could seriously affect Turkish defenseprocurement as the country imports more than $250 million worth of Germanarms a year.
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Foreign Minister Heiko Maas told the Sunday edition of the Bild newspaperthat Germany would stop issuing any new permits for any military equipmentthat Turkey could use in its operation in Syria.
