WhatsApp Logo Subscribe
For News Alert

News

Canada suspends weapons sales to Turkey

October 6, 2020 02:49 AM


Twitter Share Facebook Share WhatsApp Share

Canada announced Monday the suspension of arms exports to NATO ally Turkey as Ottawa investigates the alleged use of its military technologies in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict.

"In line with Canada's robust export control regime and due to the ongoing hostilities, I have suspended the relevant export permits to Turkey, so as to allow time to further assess the situation," Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said in a statement.

Champagne had ordered an investigation of allegations reported in the local media that Canadian imaging and targeting systems on unmanned drones have been used by Azerbaijan in clashes with Armenia.

Arms-control advocates have documented the sale of the Wescam gear to Turkey, a close ally of Azerbaijan.

Ottawa announced in October 2019 a freeze on the issuing of export permits for military shipments to Turkey, after its incursions against Kurds in northern Syria, but it was lifted in May.

Ankara is backing its longtime ally Baku in the fighting over Nagorno-Karabakh, an ethnic Armenian province that broke away from Azerbaijan in a bitterly fought war in the 1990s.

Armenia and Azerbaijan have been locked in a simmering conflict for decades over the region and new fighting has been the heaviest in decades, with nearly 200 people confirmed killed.

"Canada continues to be concerned by the ongoing conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting in shelling of communities and civilian casualties," Champagne said.

"We call for measures to be taken immediately to stabilize the situation on the ground and reiterate that there is no alternative to a peaceful, negotiated solution to this conflict."



Most Read

  1. Diljit Dosanjh invites Hania Aamir on stage during London concert, sings 'Lover' for her Diljit Dosanjh invites Hania Aamir on stage during London concert, sings 'Lover' for her
  2. Army soldiers guard Islamabad, Lahore sealed ahead of PTI protest Army soldiers guard Islamabad, Lahore sealed ahead of PTI protest
  3. Two Chinese nationals among three killed in Karachi 'suicide bombing' Two Chinese nationals among three killed in Karachi 'suicide bombing'
  4. Strong winds, rain lash most parts of Punjab, KP Strong winds, rain lash most parts of Punjab, KP
  5. Routine traffic on Lahore, Rawalpindi roads as almost all blocked routes reopened Routine traffic on Lahore, Rawalpindi roads as almost all blocked routes reopened
  6. Army colonel among 6 soldiers martyred, 6 terrorists killed in Waziristan clash Army colonel among 6 soldiers martyred, 6 terrorists killed in Waziristan clash