MHP Chair: Turkey Should Review Relations with Russia

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"[Syria's Bashar al-] Assad is a murderer, criminal, illegal and a source of strife," Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Chair Devlet Bahçeli told his party's parliamentary group.

"If necessary, the Turkish nation should plan to enter Damascus," Bahçeli said.

Bahçeli's remarks came after five Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) troops lost their lives and five injured in an attack by government forces in Idlib, northwestern Syria yesterday (February 10), following a similar attack on February 3, which claimed the lives of seven soldiers and a civilian contractor working with the military.

The Ministry of Defense stated the military retaliated to both attacks, claiming to have killed 177 troops of Syria.

Bahçeli also accused Russia of not standing with Turkey on the Syria issue, saying Moscow is just as responsible for the soldiers who lost their lives.

"We must face this reality, Russia is achieving its goals step by step in Syria through crisis and chaos," he said.

"Our sincere wish is that the government should review its relations with Russia," the MHP chair added.

Turkey first sent troops to Idlib in 2017 to set up observation points under a deal with Russia and Iran.

Advancing in the province with the support of Iran and Russia, the Syrian government forces surrounded several military posts of the TSK. After the February 3 attack on TSK troops President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said if the Syrian army wouldn't withdraw, Turkey will force it to do so. (DB/VK)