Turkish Vice President: We have fulfilled our obligations from the Syrian Idlib agreement

(Patria) – Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay stated that Turkey has fulfilled its obligations in northwestern Syria stemming from the agreement with Russia and Iran.

Turkey and Russia, which support opposing sides in the multi-year war in Syria, reached an agreement in 2018 to establish a de-escalation zone in Idlib. However, the fragile cooperation between Ankara and Moscow was interrupted by the Syrian government's offensive, after 13 Turkish soldiers lost their lives on the Syrian battlefield in the last two weeks.

Oktay told NTV that Turkey is determined to stop the Syrian government's advance in Idlib, repeating an earlier threat that Ankara would use military force to push back Syrian forces if they do not withdraw by the end of February. Oktay also said that Turkey has informed Russia of its position on Idlib, Reuters reports.