Turkey: Russia, Iran must block Assad regime attacks

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Stopping attacks by the Syrian regime is the responsibility of Russia and Iran as guarantor states of peace, Turkey’s foreign minister said Sunday, hours after an Assad regime attack on a Turkish observation post in northwestern Syria.

Earlier Sunday, Assad regime forces attacked a Turkish observation post in Idlib, Syria -- with no casualties -- and was retaliated upon by heavy weapons, Turkey’s Defense Ministry said.

"Turkey won't tolerate Syrian regime harassment of its soldiers," Mevlut Cavusoglu said during his visit to Hatay, a southern Turkish province bordering Syria.

Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey "will teach them their place."

On Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 missile defense systems, Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey absolutely will not accept any U.S. impositions on the deal.

Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have simmered over Ankara’s purchase of the S-400s.

Washington claims the purchase will jeopardize Turkey's role in the F-35 fighter jet program and has threatened sanctions.

Turkey has said there is no conflict between the S-400 and the F-35 and has called for a working group to clarify the issue.

Ankara is set to take delivery of the first S-400 as early as next month.

Stating last week that NATO can only protect 30% of Turkey’s airspace, Cavusoglu said of the S-400 deal: “This is surely a national cause.”