ANKARA, Feb 20 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, vowed to launch an operation into the Idlib province, if the Syrian government does not retreat by the end of Feb.
“We are counting down and making our final warnings … An operation in Idlib is imminent,” the president said, while addressing his party members at parliament.
Erdogan said, talks between Turkish and Russian delegations in Moscow, aiming for a diplomatic solution to calm down tension in Idlib, did not yield consensus, but the two countries will continue discussions.
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t reach the desired result. Although we will continue discussions, our views are far from each other,” he added.
Turkey and Russia have held discussions, to reach a consensus to ease the escalation of tension in Idlib.
Tensions in the region have escalated after Turkey claimed that Syrian government’s attacks in Idlib killed 13 Turkish military personnel.
Turkey urges Russia to convince Damascus to retreat to the lines agreed in the Sochi deal, previously brokered by Ankara and Moscow.
Turkey and Russia signed the Sochi deal on Sept 17, 2018, where both agreed to set up a demilitarised zone in Idlib.
Turkey however, rejected the proposed documents and maps by Russia, Turkish presidential spokesperson, Ibrahim Kalin, told reporters late Tuesday.
“We observe that, there are some remarks like ‘The map (of Syria) needs to be redrawn, considering the changing conditions.’ I would like to correct this point here. First, the changing conditions are imposed conditions, not the realities on the field,” Kalin said.– NNN-ANADOLU
