The European Union (EU) is ready to discuss sanctions against Turkey for launching an offensive against the Kurds in Syria.

"There will be debate next week at the Council of Europe (EC)," French Minister of European Affairs Amelie de Montchalin said today. "Obviously, the sanctions have been discussed. Our condemnation is very strong but not only that, we will act."

The statement was made by Ms. Montchalin in the context of European countries failing to convince the UN Security Council to condemn the military campaign against the Kurds of Turkey.

The Turkish army on October 9 began an offensive operation against the Kurds in northeastern Syria. Kurdish militia (YPG) is considered a close ally of the US in the fight against the Islamic State (IS) rebels, but Turkey is classified as a terrorist organization.

Observers say Turkey's campaign against the Kurds in Syria leaves the United States caught between the two allies. US President Donald Trump earlier this week announced the withdrawal of troops from Syria as a green light for Turkey's military campaign.

Five European members of the Security Council including France, Germany, Britain, Belgium and Poland yesterday convened an emergency meeting but failed to persuade the remaining 10 members to agree to issue a request to Turkey. stop military operation in Syria. European countries were forced to make their own statements, while the US also claimed that it did not support Turkey's military campaign.