Putin on Turkish offensive: Possible escape of captured ISIL members

(Patria) – Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that the Turkish invasion in northeastern Syria could lead to the escape of thousands of ISIL militants currently under Kurdish control, which represents 'a real threat to us'.

Putin made these remarks at a meeting of leaders of former Soviet states in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan. He also said he was unsure if Turkey could prevent the escape of prisoners while the offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria is underway.

- This is a zone where ISIL members are concentrated, and they are still held by Kurdish military groups. Now the Turkish army is entering, the Kurds are leaving the camps, and ISIL members can escape. I am not sure if the Turkish army can take control of them, the Russian president explained.

Kurdish forces are guarding large camps in northern Syria where thousands of ISIL members are imprisoned, as well as other detainees. Putin's comments represent a measured criticism of the Turkish offensive, adding to the international community's diplomatic pressure on Turkish President Erdogan to stop the attack.

- This is a real threat to us. How and where will they go (ISIL)? Through Turkish territory, through other territories, further into uncontrolled territory of Syria, then through Iraq and other countries. We need to understand this, know it, and mobilize our intelligence service resources to deal with this new threat, Putin emphasized.

Russia intervened in the Syrian civil war on the side of Bashar al-Assad in 2015, providing military support that enabled him to suppress the rebellion and remain in power, writes the British Guardian.

Russia estimated that thousands of ISIL members from the former Soviet Union are present in Syria, which is one of the reasons for Russia's intervention in that war.

The US and Russia did not accept the draft statement of the European UN members condemning the Turkish invasion, which indicates a shift in geopolitical alliances.