During a telephone call between the two leaders, Macron said the 30-day ceasefire “involved all Syrian territory, including in Afrin, and must be put into effect everywhere and by everyone without delay”, the French presidency said.

He added that Turkey, Russia and Iran, the three countries overseeing talks in Astana aimed at ending the nearly seven-year civil war, “have a direct responsibility in this regard that must be applied on the ground,” Gulf News reported.

Ankara last month launched an offensive against the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia in Afrin in northern Syria.

On Sunday the Turkish government said the proposed UN ceasefire would not affect its operation, which it claims is aimed at fighting “terrorist organizations that threaten the territorial integrity and political unity of Syria”.

But the offensive has raised tensions with Washington, which works closely with the YPG in the fight against extremists in Syria.

According to sources in the Turkish president’s office, Erdogan told Macron that measures were being taken to avoid civilian casualties in Afrin.

Reporter’s code: 50101