Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday threatened to quickly launch a military offensive in Idleb, in northwestern Syria, where clashes have pitted Ankara's forces against those in Damascus in recent weeks. Summing up again the Syrian regime to withdraw from certain positions in Idleb by the end of February, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "These are our last warnings (...) We may arise a night without warning. "
These threats come after discussions between Ankara and Moscow, godfather of Bashar al-Assad's regime, have so far failed to reduce tensions in the Idleb region. “We are very far from the point we want to reach, it's a fact. But discussions (with the Russians) will continue, "added Erdogan. Damascus forces, supported by the Russian air force, have been working hard in recent weeks to retake this last rebel and jihadist stronghold, an offensive that has caused the exodus of more than 900,000 civilians fleeing the fighting.
380,000 victims since 2011
The country, at war since 2011, has never experienced such an exodus over such a short period of time. In total, the Syrian conflict has forced millions into exile and killed more than 380,000 people. Tensions escalated in early February when Turkish soldiers deployed to Idleb as part of an agreement between Ankara and Moscow were killed by Syrian bombing. Ankara has since called for the withdrawal of Syrian regime forces east of a key highway. The advancement of Damascus forces has also led several Turkish positions in Idleb to find themselves surrounded.
In parallel with the warnings, Turkey has been deploying for several days important military reinforcements in the Idleb region. "We have made all the preparations to implement our own plans," said Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday. "We are determined to make Idleb a safe region for Turkey and the local people, whatever the cost," he added.
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