Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether there have been any recent potential breaches of international humanitarian law in Afrin; and if he will make a statement.

​We have not seen any verifiable evidence of breaches of international humanitarian law. Any such allegations should be thoroughly investigated by the appropriate bodies. The Turkish Government has assured the Foreign and Commonwealth Office that it is working to minimise civilian casualties. Turkish forces are trained in the Law of Armed Conflict and International Humanitarian Law, and we have discussed with Turkey the importance of pressing all actors in the Syrian conflict to comply fully with international conventions and norms. Alistair Burt, Minister for the Middle East reinforced these messages during his visit to Turkey on 21-23 March.