Ankara Excluded Military Conflict with Moscow in Idlib

Turkey is not interested in increasing tension with Russia in the Syrian province of Idlib. The Minister of Defense of the country Hulusi Akar stated in an interview with CNN Turk on February 21. According to the head of the Turkish Defense Ministry, negotiations with Russia are not at an impasse, they will continue. Turkey's observation posts in Syria will continue to work and the question of their transfer is not discussed, he stressed. The Russian and Turkish sides have a “healthy dialogue," he added. “Our goal is to establish a ceasefire,” Akar drew attention. Currently, the Russian Federation and Turkey are discussing the use of Syrian airspace in Idlib. If Russia "steps aside", then the problem can be overcome, the Turkish minister shared his opinion. Adding Akar informed that Turkish President Tayyip Recep Erdogan gave military orders, they made several plans for its implementation and they will be implemented when the time comes. Speaking about the possibility of Ankara’s military operation in Idlib the minister pointed to the priorities of the Sochi memorandum. The day before, leaders of the EU member states called on the parties to immediately end hostilities in Idlib. On February 19, Erdogan stated that the start of a military operation in Idlib is a “matter of time”. The talks between Russia and Turkey this week to resolve the military conflict in Idlib did not bring any results, he said accusing Moscow and Damascus of delivering attacks on civilians in Syria. On October 22, 2019 summing up talks in Sochi, Moscow and Ankara adopted a memorandum on joint patrolling in northern Syria.