Xinhua News Agency, Moscow, March 1 (Reporter Zhang Xiao) Russian President ’s press secretary Peskov stated on March 1 that the Russian army is the only foreign army legally stationed at the request of the Syrian government, and the crackdown on Syrian terrorists will continue.
When talking about the situation in Syria on a TV program broadcast on a Russian TV station, Peskov said that the Russian army is the only foreign army legally stationed at the request of the Syrian government. Other foreign soldiers in Syria violated the norms and principles of international law.
Peskov said that Turkey did not fulfill the agreement reached in the meeting between Russian and Turkish leaders in Sochi, terrorists launched attacks on Syrian government forces, and the Syrian army's operations in recent days were aimed at cracking down on terrorist organizations.
Peskov said Syrian terrorists have also attacked Russian military facilities and "the crackdown on these terrorists will continue."
On February 27, the Turkish army was attacked by Syrian government forces in Idlib province, causing serious casualties. Turkish Defense Minister Akar announced on March 1 that the Turkish army launched a military operation codenamed "Shield of Spring" against Syrian government forces in Idlib province.
Syria's Idlib province, bordering Turkey, is the last major site controlled by Syrian opposition militants and extremist groups. In September 2018, Russian President Putin and Turkish President Erdogan met in Sochi, Russia, and agreed to establish a demilitarized zone between Syrian government forces and opposition armed forces in Idlib Province. Established 12 observation points in Idlib.