Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of an increase in (1) Turkish airstrikes, and (2) threats of a ground invasion, on northern regions of Syria; and what discussions they have had with the government of Turkey regarding this situation.

The UK recognises Turkey's legitimate security interests in Syria and Iraq and is closely monitoring the situation. It is important that the risks to civilians and to the security and stability of the region are minimised. FCDO Ministers and senior officials engage with Turkey regularly on issues of regional security. The Foreign Secretary last met Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on 30 November and the Prime Minister spoke to President Erdoğan on 2 December.