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Erdogan, Cameron discuss developments in Syria and Iraq

Türkiye Materials 24 June 2014 00:43 (UTC +04:00)
Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed latest developments in Syria and Iraq with British Prime Minister David Cameron in a telephone conversation, Anadolu Agency reported.
Erdogan, Cameron discuss developments in Syria and Iraq

Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed latest developments in Syria and Iraq with British Prime Minister David Cameron in a telephone conversation, Anadolu Agency reported.

Turkish ministerial sources said on Monday that the two leaders also exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional issues in their 20 minute-long talk.

Erdogan and Cameron expressed concerns over political tension and sectarian clashes in Iraq and emphasized the need for the establishment of a national unity government as a solution.

Erdogan reminded the British leader that the Syria crisis had led to about one million Syrian refugees entering Turkey, and said that the European Union must take a more active role in regional issues.

Violent crackdown

Both leaders acknowledged the need to boost their cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

Syria has been gripped by almost constant fighting since the Assad regime launched a violent crackdown in response to anti-government protests in March 2011, triggering a conflict which spiraled into a civil war.

Iraq has seen a marked increase in sectarian violence between Sunni and Shi'a Muslims in recent months, which the Iraqi government blames on the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant- ISIL.

ISIL, which already controls parts of Syria, has extended its reach into Iraq since 10 June when it seized Iraq's second-largest city Mosul and took near-complete control of the cities of Tikrit and Tal Afar shortly afterwards.

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