Syria keeps eradicating terrorism, Erdogan calls for ceasing fire

Mohamed Abdel-Ghaffar

Terrorist groups scattered across Idlib and the surrounding provinces did not adhere to the principles of the Astana talks amid an escalating aggression by the Syrian National Army against the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

In an interview with NTV last Friday, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said Ankara is negotiating with the Russian Army to reach a deal regarding cease-fire procedures in Idlib.

He further added that Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Guler discussed with his Russian counterpart mechanisms of ceasefire and stability in Idlib.

The Kremlin said on Friday it was Turkey’s responsibility to stop rebels in Syria’s Idlib province from firing on civilian and Russian targets, signaling it would continue to back a Syrian government offensive there despite Ankara’s protests.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin late on Thursday that he wanted a ceasefire in Idlib to prevent more civilian deaths and a refugee influx to Turkey.

“We really do need a ceasefire in Idlib and what needs to be achieved is for the terrorists to stop firing on civilian targets and on certain facilities where our troops are located,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters when asked about Erdogan’s request for a ceasefire.

“…This is the responsibility of the Turkish side.”

Moscow has blamed Turkey for not doing enough to hold its side of the bargain, while Ankara, which is worried about refugees crossing from Idlib into Turkey, has repeatedly urged restraint.

And despite the claimed political stance by Turkey, the Turkish General Staff has deployed about 50 tanks to the Syrian border amid the preparation for a new military operation in Syria,

In a joint declaration published Friday, local councils in Syria called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor as a precaution in case the clashes spread to urban areas.