Turkey’s Defense Minister Accuses Russia

Turkey has expressed concern over the increase in airstrikes by Russian Aerospace Forces in Syria's northern Idlib province. This was announced by Turkey's Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on the ministry's Twitter page.

“Recently, there has been an increase in airstrikes by Russian Aerospace Forces in Idlib. We have already noted that this contradicts the understanding memorandum,” the minister stated.

According to him, negotiations are currently underway between Moscow and Ankara regarding the arising disputes.

Akar added that Turkey must maintain a presence in Idlib to ensure the security of its southern borders and to combat the rising flow of Syrian refugees.

The Turkish Defense Minister emphasized that the goal of the Turkish military contingent in Syria is to ensure the safety of “Syrian brothers.”