During a press conference in Rome, the Italian capital, Stoltenberg announced that Turkey had informed NATO about the cross-border operation.

"I count on Turkey to act with restraints and ensure that any action it may take in northern Syria is proportionate and measured," he added.

Noting that Turkey is also hosting a large number of refugees, Stoltenberg announced that he would meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during his official visit to Turkey on Friday. (ILKHA)