News / Syria

100 foreign militants cross Turkey into Syria each week: Report

Wednesday, 20 July 2016 3:02 PM [ Last Update: Wednesday, 20 July 2016 3:02 PM ]

In this picture taken from the Turkish-Syrian border region near Kilis on May 7, 2016, smoke rises as targets of the Daesh Takfiri terrorists are bombed on the Syrian side of the border. (AFP)

France’s military intelligence says “each week” nearly 100 foreign militants enter Syria via the Turkish border to join the Daesh Takfiri terrorist group.

"According to the Direction for Military Intelligence (DRM) in Paris, each week, about 100 foreigners continue to cross Turkey into Syria" to join Daesh, the French daily Le Figaro quoted sources as saying on Wednesday.

On July 17, French Foreign Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault questioned Turkey’s viability as a partner in the battle against Daesh, adding that the subject will be debated at an upcoming anti-terrorism coalition summit, which is slated to be held in the United States.

The French Defense Ministry has made no comment on the daily’s report.

Turkey is said to be among the main supporters of the militant groups operating in Syria, with reports saying that Ankara actively trains and arms the Takfiri elements there and facilitates their safe passage into the violence-wracked country. Ankara has also been accused of buying smuggled oil from Daesh.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura estimates that over 400,000 people have been killed in the conflict that has gripped Syria for over five years now. The UN has stopped its official casualty count in Syria, citing its inability to verify the figures that it receives from various sources.

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