Syria Hotspot: Türkiye and Russia May Conduct Joint Patrols in Idlib
(Baonghean.vn) - On February 20, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told CNN that Türkiye and Russia could start joint patrols in Syria's Idlib de-escalation zone.
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| Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar. Photo: EPA |
Responding to some media reports that Ankara and Moscow are likely to launch joint patrols in Idlib, Akar said: “This can all be done. The main thing is that the Sochi memorandum is observed. The armies of the two sides in Idlib are maintaining a healthy dialogue. Contacts with Russia on Idlib will continue.”
“Negotiations on the use of Idlib airspace continue. Difficulties can be overcome if the Russian side does not interfere. Our goal is to establish a ceasefire mechanism,” the Turkish defense minister noted. He added that Russia “has not fully satisfied Turkey’s demands on the use of Syrian airspace.”
“We have no intention of starting a confrontation with Russia. Our negotiations on Idlib have not stalled, they will continue. Our observation posts will also continue to operate,” Akar stressed.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, the situation in Idlib escalated in early February after Russian and Turkish forces made further efforts to introduce a ceasefire. In response, terrorists only stepped up their attacks. On February 11, the Syrian opposition, backed by Turkey, launched an attack on Syrian forces in Neirab and Saraqib in Idlib province. The Syrian army responded to the attacks.
On February 19, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Ankara was ready to use all military force in case of an operation in Idlib. He added that a military operation in this hot spot was “just a matter of time”.
