Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. Turkey's President Blasts Lack of Support for 'Operation Peace Spring' Lisa Schlein GENEVA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out Tuesday at Western nations for their lack of support for his so-called Operation Peace Spring, which he launched in October in Kurdish-controlled areas of northeastern Syria. Speaking at the Global Refugee Forum in Geneva, Erdogan described the difficulties encountered by the millions of refugees forced to flee war and persecution, and the need for universal solidarity to support them. The Turkish president, who said his country has welcomed more than 5 million displaced individuals -- 3.7 million of them Syrian refugees, criticized the European Union for its lack of financial support and the member nations' unwillingness to share the burden of welcoming refugees inside their own borders. .