Turkish, Russian defense ministers discuss Idlib, Syria

By Havva Kara Aydin

ANKARA (AA) – Turkish and Russian defense ministers held a phone conversation on Saturday to discuss the situation in northwestern Syrian province of Idlib.

Hulusi Akar and Sergey Shoygu exchanged views to find a solution to the conflict in Idlib, according to the Turkish Defense Ministry.

Idlib, near Turkey's southern border, falls within a de-escalation zone laid out in a deal between Turkey and Russia in late 2018.

Some 1 million Idlib refugees have moved towards the Turkish border in recent months, fleeing attacks by the Assad regime and its allies which caused a desperate humanitarian situation.

Turkey has called for an immediate halt to the attacks on Idlib, and for the cease-fire to be followed, warning that if the attacks do not stop, Turkey will take action.