Turkey is committed to decisions agreed with Russia on Syria: President

By Ferdi Turkten

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey "remains committed" to every decision agreed with Russia on Syria, and there is "no stepping back," said the president.

Speaking on Wednesday to reporters traveling with him on the plane following the Sochi meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey is working incessantly for the safe return of Syrians to their homes, with over 1 million Syrians having returned so far, including 400,000 to Idlib.

Idlib falls within a de-escalation zone established by an agreement between Turkey and Russia. The area has been the subject of multiple cease-fire understandings, which have frequently been violated by the Syrian regime and its allies.

Regarding recent attacks in Syria, Erdogan said the agreements with Russia on eliminating YPG/PKK terror group from the region must be fulfilled.

Erdogan emphasized that he raised issue of YPG/PKK terror group's presence in Moscow during his visit, reminding Putin that they should strengthen the cooperation in fighting terrorism.

- Turkey-US relations

Speaking on Turkey-US ties, Erdogan said that he will meet Joe Biden in Rome, and probably also in Glasgow, and described it as "good steps".

Brett McGurk, the White House coordinator for Middle East and North Africa, is almost like a "director of the PKK/YPG/PYD," and he "walks arm in arm with terror groups" in region where Turkey fights them, Erdogan said.

The US should quit Syria sooner or later and leave it to the Syrian people, he said.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the Syrian branch of the PKK.