French Foreign Minister Jean Yves Le Drian said in an interview on French television channel BFM on Wednesday that France is notably now looking to Russia, given their “common interests” in defeating the IS group in Syria. He said the American military withdrawal from northeastern Syria is forcing European leaders to re-examine their alliance with the US in the region. Le Drian said France’s “own security is at stake” amid the Turkish offensive against Syrian Kurdish fighters. Earlier in the day, the Turkish president made it clear that he won’t halt the military offensive in northeast Syria, despite growing pressure and sanctions from NATO allies. Russia has signalled its role as de facto power broker in the conflict, deploying forces near the border following America’s pullout.

Source: Pakistan Today October 16, 2019 09:11 UTC