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Turkey hits back at Moscow over Idlib claims
ANKARA, Feb 15, 2020 (BSS/AFP) – Turkey’s vice-president on Saturday hit
back at Russian accusations of failing to honour a 2018 deal by insisting it
carried out its responsibilities in Syria’s Idlib.
“Observation posts were set up and the regime had to stay outside of this
area. Russia and Iran were to ensure the regime stayed outside, Turkey had
responsibilities too, Turkey fulfilled these,” Vice-President Fuat Oktay told
NTV broadcaster.
Turkey has 12 observation posts in the northwestern province of Idlib after
the 2018 agreement between Russia and Turkey in Sochi to prevent a Damascus-
led offensive.
Up to four of Turkey’s posts are in Syrian regime-controlled territory,
Turkish officials say.
Turkey and Russia have been embroiled in a war of words over Idlib as the
Syrian regime backed by Moscow has intensified an assault, killing hundreds
of civilians.
The Russian defence ministry said earlier this week Turkey did not separate
“fighters from the moderate opposition from terrorists.”
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar then said on Thursday force would be
used against anyone who did not adhere to the ceasefire, including
“radicals”.
Idlib is held by an array of rebels dominated by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
(HTS) jihadist group, which is led by members of the country’s former Al-
Qaeda franchise.
The tensions began after 14 Turks were killed this month by regime shelling
in Idlib.
Despite being on opposing sides, rebel supporter Turkey and Moscow ally
Russia have worked closely on Syria.
Turkey says it wants to stop the Damascus regime’s “aggression” in a bid to
stop the deaths of civilians and to prevent a wave of refugees fleeing to
Turkey.
Turkey is already home to more than 3.6 million Syrian refugees. “Turkey
cannot withstand another migration wave,” Oktay said.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned the regime to withdraw from
Turkish-manned posts by the end of February, otherwise Ankara will “take
matters into its own hands.”
In recent days, Turkey has sent multiple military reinforcements to Idlib,
and Hurriyet daily on Saturday reported that a 60-vehicle convoy carrying
commandoes and armoured carriers was sent to beef up the Turkish posts.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1707 hrs