“Like its partners in the European Union, Luxembourg calls on Turkey to cease its unilateral military action…[which] further undermines the stability of the entire region, worsens the suffering of civilians and causes further displacement. The chances of the United Nations-led political process leading to peace in Syria will be compromised,” he said. 

The statement further states it would be “unlikely” that the Turkey-envisaged security area would meet the criteria set out by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with regards to refugees. 

“We maintain our position that the return of refugees and internally displaced persons to their places of origin must be carried out safely and in a voluntary and dignified manner. Any attempt to make a demographic change would be unacceptable. We will not help stabilisation or development in areas where the rights of local people are violated.”

On Thursday, the UN Security Council held a closed-door meeting to discuss the situation, likely prompted by questions on how international players could fill the gap left following the announcement by US President Donald Trump just days prior concerning the withdrawl of US troops in the region.