PARIS (AP) — France’s foreign minister is calling for the creation of a buffer zone between Syria in Turkey to protect refugees and civilians as the Islamic State group advances in the region.
He met with his Turkish counterpart as the militants pushed into the Kurdish Syrian town of Kobani after the U.S.-led coalition stepped up airstrikes.
France’s Laurent Fabius said Friday that world powers should do more to urgently support moderate forces fighting both the extremists and Syrian President Bashar Assad’s army.
He said “we support the idea of a buffer zone,” though stressed that it would require “extremely close international coordination.” France is participating in airstrikes against extremists in Iraq but not Syria.
Turkey is pushing for a buffer zone and no-fly zone, but the U.S. is not considering that option.
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