Turkey’s Erdogan threatens retaliation if Syria truce is broken

Threat
Ankara, March 11, 2020 (Reuters/NAN) Turkish President Recep Erdogan on Wednesday said his country would not shy away from even stronger military action in North-West Syria’s Idlib region if truce was broken.

Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Syria’s war, agreed on a ceasefire to stop escalating clashes in Idlib that brought the two countries close to direct confrontation and displaced almost a million people.

In a speech to lawmakers from his AK Party in parliament, Erdogan said there had been small violations of the ceasefire and that Turkey’s priority was the safety of the 12 observation posts it established in the region.

“We will not just retaliate against even the smallest attack here in Idlib, we will give a much harsher response.

“Turkish soldiers, the sons of this nation, are never in need of the cruel Assad’s protection, so let that be known,” he said.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, said that talks between Turkish and Russian officials on implementing the ceasefire had so far been positive and constructive.

In recent time, Russia-backed Syrian Government forces intensified their campaign to retake Idlib, the last rebel-held stronghold in the country. That prompted Turkey, which backs some rebels looking to oust Assad, to mount a counter-offensive to repel their advances.

A Russian delegation arrived in Ankara on Tuesday for talks on details of the agreement, which the two sides said would be finalised by shortly.

The deal establishes a security corridor and joint patrols along a key East-West highway in Idlib.
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, acknowledged minor violations of the truce, adding that Moscow had warned Damascus to stop.(dpa/NAN)
YI/AFA
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Edited by Yahaya Isah/Felix Ajide