Putin:
Syrian Operation Does Not Violate Deal With Turkey
MOSCOW (Dispatches) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says that the Russian-backed Syrian government operation in Idlib did not violate any agreements with Turkey, the RIA news agency reported.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday that Syrian army attacks in northwest Syria were causing a humanitarian crisis and threatening Turkey’s national security, the Turkish presidency said.
Syrian troops have encircled terrorists and a Turkish military post in northwest Syria in an operation to reclaim territory and towns they lost early in the war.
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin is equally concerned about attacks by foreign-backed militants from Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib after his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan alleged that operation in the province threaten Turkey’s national security.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comment during a press conference in the capital Moscow on Monday.
"Putin has repeatedly said he understands the concerns of our Turkish colleagues ... but at the same time the president remains ... concerned about the activation of action by terrorist elements from Idlib that cannot be (left) without being stamped out and destroyed,” Peskov said.
Large parts of Idlib province, home to three million people, and parts of neighboring Hama province constitute the last major militant stronghold in Syria. The Idlib-based militants regularly conduct attacks against Syrian troops, Russia’s bases and civilian districts.
The government troops, supported by Russian airstrikes, are resolute to liberate the province from the grips of militants, who have practically taken the civilians hostage.
On August 5, the Syrian army announced the start of an offensive against foreign-sponsored militants in Idlib after those positioned in the de-escalation zone failed to honor a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey and continued to target civilian neighborhoods.
Moscow, a key ally of Damascus, launched its military campaign against the Daesh terrorist group and other terror outfits in the Arab country in September 2015 at the Damascus government’s request. Russia's airstrikes have significantly helped the Syrian forces deal heavy blows to foreign-backed militants operating in the Arab country since 2011.
A man walks past damaged buildings in the city of Idlib, Syria, May 24, 2019.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Friday that Syrian army attacks in northwest Syria were causing a humanitarian crisis and threatening Turkey’s national security, the Turkish presidency said.
Syrian troops have encircled terrorists and a Turkish military post in northwest Syria in an operation to reclaim territory and towns they lost early in the war.
The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin is equally concerned about attacks by foreign-backed militants from Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib after his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan alleged that operation in the province threaten Turkey’s national security.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the comment during a press conference in the capital Moscow on Monday.
"Putin has repeatedly said he understands the concerns of our Turkish colleagues ... but at the same time the president remains ... concerned about the activation of action by terrorist elements from Idlib that cannot be (left) without being stamped out and destroyed,” Peskov said.
Large parts of Idlib province, home to three million people, and parts of neighboring Hama province constitute the last major militant stronghold in Syria. The Idlib-based militants regularly conduct attacks against Syrian troops, Russia’s bases and civilian districts.
The government troops, supported by Russian airstrikes, are resolute to liberate the province from the grips of militants, who have practically taken the civilians hostage.
On August 5, the Syrian army announced the start of an offensive against foreign-sponsored militants in Idlib after those positioned in the de-escalation zone failed to honor a ceasefire brokered by Russia and Turkey and continued to target civilian neighborhoods.
Moscow, a key ally of Damascus, launched its military campaign against the Daesh terrorist group and other terror outfits in the Arab country in September 2015 at the Damascus government’s request. Russia's airstrikes have significantly helped the Syrian forces deal heavy blows to foreign-backed militants operating in the Arab country since 2011.
A man walks past damaged buildings in the city of Idlib, Syria, May 24, 2019.