German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that Turkey's military operation against the Kurds in northeastern Syria violated international law.

"We do not believe an attack on Kurdish units or Kurdish militia is in accordance with international law," Mass Secretary told German television channel ZDF on October 20. "If there is no basis in international law for such an invasion, it cannot be considered in accordance with international law."

Turkey launched Operation Spring Peace in northeastern Syria on October 9 against Kurdish militias, which Ankara considers terrorists after the US announced its withdrawal from Syria.

On October 17, a US-mediated ceasefire was announced, giving the Kurds until October 22 to withdraw from the "safe zone" Turkey wants to create along its border. south of this country.

Yesterday, the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) withdrew from the strategic northern town of Ras al-Ain, which is surrounded by Turkish troops. This seems to be the opening move for a larger withdrawal under the ceasefire agreement.

"We will do everything we can to ensure a ceasefire lasts more than 5 days and ends the invasion," Maas said. Germany, along with a number of other European countries, has stopped exporting weapons to Turkey in response to Ankara's military campaign.