Erdogan attacks Russia in response to bombings in Syria: "Does not honor agreements"

The Turkish president called on Russia to honor the agreements signed between the countries, after five soldiers and three civilians from his country were killed in the shelling of the Assad regime in Idlib. "I can't go on like this," Erdogan said during a visit to Kiev. He added that "a response was given" after his country launched a widespread offensive against Syrian forces

Erdogan attacks Russia in response to bombings in Syria: "Does not honor agreements"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday called on Russia to honor its commitments under the agreement signed with it in 2018, after eight Turks were killed in Syrian regime shelling in northwestern Syria. At a press conference Erdogan held in Kiev, he sent a direct message to Russia, supporting the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stating that he hopes that everyone "will fulfill their duty" under the agreements signed in Astana and Sochi.

According to Erdogan, Syrian forces killed five Turkish soldiers and three civilians during the bombings in Idlib, the last stronghold of opposition in northwestern Syria. "I can't go on like this and a response has been given," Erdogan said. "We will make them pay the necessary price and we will continue to do so."

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A message to Russia. Erdogan and Putin in Sochi, last October (Photo: Reuters)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish colleague Erdogan during media statements following their meeting in Sochi on October 22, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Earlier, Erdogan said between 30 and 35 Syrian soldiers were killed in a widespread attack carried out as a retaliation for these shelling. His remarks were made during a visit to Ukraine, where he reiterated his opposition to the "illegal" annexation, as it were, of the Crimea by Russia.

Last week, Erdogan blamed Moscow for "disrespecting" its agreements with Ankara over Idlib, where Syrian and Russian forces have intensified their fighting in recent weeks. As part of the Sochi agreement, Turkey has set up 12 observation posts, one of which was labeled by Assad's forces in December. Erdogan said Turkey was too patient about what happened in Idlib.

Turkey fears more refugees are arriving. Syrian army soldier in Idlib yesterday (Photo: Reuters)

Syrian army soldier in a-Nu'man cave, Idlib, January 2020 (Photo: Reuters)

Turkey, which already has more than 3.7 Syrians, fears another influx of refugees into its territories in light of the ongoing fighting. Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Balut Chebuschuelo spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, and both sides agreed to "examine in detail" the situation in Idlib.

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