ANKARA, Dec 25 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey is discussing with Russia, reaching a new truce in Syria’s northwestern province of Idlib, Turkish Presidential Spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, said.
The negotiation aims to put an end to the increased violence in the region, Kalin said, during a televised news conference. “These attacks must come to an end immediately, under a new cease-fire,” he said.
“We are now waiting for Russia to begin efforts in the coming 24 hours, for an end to the attacks in Idlib,” he added.
Forces loyal to the Syrian government, backed by Russian airstrikes, launched a fresh round of fierce offensives in Idlib, to capture the last rebels’ stronghold in the war-torn country.
Turkey and Russia agreed in Sept, 2018, to turn parts of Idlib into a deescalation zone, in which acts of aggression are prohibited.
However, such deals exclude the ultra-radical rebels who are affiliated with the al-Qaeda and branded as terrorist groups by the United Nations.
Idlib hosts some three million people, including many displaced by years of violence in other parts of Syria.
