According to Turkish information, Turkey and Russia largely agree on details of a ceasefire in the northern Syrian province of Idlib. Talks in Ankara had been agreed, Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar said today, according to the Turkish state news agency Anadolu. Russia and Turkey support opposing sides in the Syrian civil war.
The Kremlin said that the tension in Idlib had dropped significantly as a result of the conversation. The Reuters news agency reports.
Last week Turkey and Russia agreed that the escalation of violence in the province where the insurgents had their last stronghold should be contained. A Russian delegation had arrived in the Turkish capital this week to discuss details. This includes a security corridor and joint patrols on the important M4 motorway.
Akar said the discussions are still ongoing. All Turkish soldiers in Idlib remained in place. Turkey will continue its military offensive in Idlib if the ceasefire is broken. It supports rebels who are fighting against the troops of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad. With the help of the Russian Air Force, they have been advancing to the last rebel stronghold for weeks. Hundreds of thousands of Syrians are on the run and want to cross the border into Turkey, which refuses to do so.
