Xinhua News Agency, Istanbul, February 29 (Reporter Wang Feng) Turkish President Erdogan said in Istanbul on the 29th that Turkey will continue to crack down on Syrian Syrian military targets, and Russia should avoid the Turkish-Syrian conflict and stop military operations against the Syrian government. stand by.
Erdogan said at the meeting of the ruling party's Justice and Development Party (AKA) that the Russian side should avoid the Turkish-Syrian conflict. He has asked Russian President Putin to "let the Turkish army fight the Syrian government alone. We cannot Understand the purpose of Russia's support for Syrian government forces. "
Erdogan pointed out that the Turkish army entered Syria "at the invitation of the Syrian people." As long as the Syrian people do not say that "the war is over and it is time for Turkey to withdraw," Turkey will not withdraw.
Since December last year, Syrian government forces have waged fierce fighting with Turkish-backed Syrian opposition forces in Idlib province in northern Syria with military support from Russia, with heavy casualties on both sides. Since the end of this month, the intensity of the conflict between the two sides has increased significantly, and the situation in Idlib is in danger of losing control.
According to Turkish media reports, Turkish troops were attacked by Syrian government forces in Idlib province on the evening of the 27th, killing 33 and injuring 32. Subsequently, the Turkish army destroyed five Syrian government helicopters, 23 tanks, and two air defense weapon systems in a retaliatory blow, killing more than 300 soldiers.
On the 28th, Erdogan spoke on the phone with US President Trump and German Chancellor Merkel. Trump and Merkel condemned Syrian government forces ’air strikes on Turkish troops in Idlib province, which caused serious casualties in the Turkish army, and urged the Syrian government and Russia to stop the offensive immediately.
On the same day, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued an announcement saying that the representatives of Russia and Turkey, who are consulting in Ankara, Turkey on the situation in Idlib, confirmed that they will continue to combat terrorist organizations identified by the UN Security Council in Idlib Province, and work to ease regional tensions and protect The conflict has degraded civilians inside and outside the zone and provided humanitarian assistance to all those in need.
Syria's Idlib province, bordering Turkey, is the last major site controlled by Syrian opposition militants and extremist groups. In September 2018, Putin and Erdogan met in Sochi, Russia, and agreed to establish a demilitarized zone between Syrian government forces and opposition armed forces in Idlib province. Bu established 12 observation points.