Erdoğan: If Syrian Regime Doesn't Withdraw, Turkey will Make This Happen

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"If the Syrian regime will not retreat from Turkish observation posts in Idlib in February, Turkey itself will be obliged to make this happen," President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told his party's group in parliament.

"Turkey's air and land forces will move freely in all operation areas [in Syria] and in Idlib, and they will conduct operations if needed," he added, amid speculation of fresh Turkish moves in northern Syria.

The Syrian army is violating the cease-fires reached in Idlib, said Erdoğan asserted, citing an attack on Monday (February 3) that killed seven soldiers of Turkey.

"The attack on our soldiers the day before yesterday was a turning point in Syria for Turkey," he said.

'Every attack will face retaliation'

Erdoğan added that every attack on Turkish soldiers or its allies will face retaliation, without any warning, regardless of the source of the attack.

In its military operations, "Turkey's main principle is not to hurt lives or the property of innocent people," he said.

In retaliation for the deadly attack, Turkey struck over 50 targets and claimed to have killed 76 Syrian regime troops. London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) stated that 13 Syrian soldiers were killed in the attack.

Expectations from Russia

Turning to Moscow, which he said has worked with Ankara on bringing peace to Syria amid devastating attacks on Idlib and other areas, Erdoğan remarked Turkey's sole expectation from Russia in Syria is that it understands Turkey's sensitivities.

Idlib has been a stronghold of anti-government armed groups since they took over the province in 2015.

It is currently home to some 4 million civilians, including hundreds of thousands of displaced people from throughout the war-weary country.

Turkey and Russia agreed in September 2018 to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are prohibited. (TP/VK)