Russia heeds UN Security Council when the topic is Turkey
Ban Ki-moon briefs Security Council during meeting on the situation in Middle East, Palestine Jan 26, 2016 at UN in New York. (AFP)


The United Nations Security Council will on Tuesday discuss Turkey's shelling of PYD targets in Syria at the request of Russia. The closed-door discussion is expected to take place in the morning after the council discusses the humanitarian situation in Yemen.Turkey shelled YPG positions for a third straight day to try to stop its fighters from seizing Azaz, just 8 km (5 miles) from the border.The YPG offensive heightens tensions with Turkey and Arab opposition forces, with the latter also suffering incursions by Russian airstrikes and forces loyal to Syria's Bashar Assad.Amidst YPG and Russia's actions in undermining collective efforts in Syria for a ceasefire despite the Munich deal, Russia sent the U.N. an official request saying the country was "deeply concerned by the use of force by Turkey against the Syrian territory."Russia's request came after the country itself struck hospitals and schools in Syria on Monday, killing almost 50 civilians, including children which constituted as "war crimes", Turkey said in a statement released later on in the day.The Turkish ministry urged Russia to immediately stop such attacks to prevent a greater catastrophe.The United Nations and Washington also condemned airstrikes which France branded as "war crimes."