Defense Minister: Turkey to 'Control the Field' in Idlib

Source: AA

Click to read the article in Turkish

Turkey will send additional troops to Idlib, northwestern Syria, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar announced today (February 13).

"We are sending additional troops to enable a permanent cease-fire, we are going to control the field," Akar told reporters after a NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, but did not give any details about the field to be controlled.

Since 2017, Ankara has set up more than a dozen military posts in and around Idlib under deals with Iran and Russia. As the government forces advance in the province, some of those posts are now encircled by them.

"Force will be used against those who do not comply with the cease-fire, including radicals, and all measures will be taken," Akar noted.

The announcement followed recent deadly attacks in Idlib by the government forces on Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), which claimed the lives of 12 soldiers and one civil contractor.

Turkey has recently been sending large reinforcements to Idlib, including tanks, armed personnel carriers, heavy weapons and commando troops.

Akar said the additional observation posts in the region will enable Turkey to monitor the situation in the field. "I would like to say once again that all measures to ensure a permanent cease-fire, including the use of force when necessary, will be taken."

Akar asserted that the attacks by the government forces are worsening both radicalization and migration in the region.

Akar also said that Turkey is doing all it can to "hold the cease-fire, to control migration, and to stop the bloodshed." (PT/VK)