Defense Minister Hulusi Akar
The Manbij roadmap in Syria is "moving forward", Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday.
Speaking at a ceremony at the Turkish General Staff headquarters in capital Ankara, Akar said: "Manbij roadmap is moving forward even if slowly. We constantly remind our counterparts about necessity of withdrawing YPG/PKK from region."
The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of the PKK-affiliated YPG terror group from the city in order to stabilize the region.
Russia's Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov said he had told U.S. officials earlier this week that Moscow is concerned over signs that the United States is preparing new strikes on Syria and warned against "groundless and illegal aggression against Syria".Antonov met this week with U.S. officials, including James Jeffrey, special representative for Syria, the Russia Embassy said in a posting on its Facebook page. Turkish, Russian ministers discuss regional securityUN chief 'deeply concerned' by possible Idlib offensiveErdoğan hosts Iranian FM in AnkaraFrench FM urges for a political solution in Syria
Russia warns US against 'illegal aggression against Syria'
About the situation in Syria's Idlib, Akar said: "Turkey strives for ensuring security, preventing attacks, giving aid to nearly 3.5-4 million people in Syria's Idlib without violating the ceasefire."
Located near the Turkish border, Idlib in May was designated as a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly forbidden as part of the ongoing Astana process.
Nevertheless, for the past two months, the Idlib de-escalation zone has been the target of particular fierce airstrikes by Russia and Assad regime forces.
Turkish defense minister and his Russian counterpart spoke over the phone about regional security, according to a Turkish ministerial source on Thursday.Turkey’s Hulusi Akar and Russia's Sergey Shoygu discussed regional security and the latest developments in Syria on a phone call, the source told Anadolu Agency on condition on anonymity due to the restrictions on speaking to the media.The ministers also exchanged views on bilateral cooperation, the source added.UN chief 'deeply concerned' by possible Idlib offensive‘US to lose region if it loses Turkey,’ says expertErdoğan hosts Iranian FM in AnkaraFrench FM urges for a political solution in Syria
Turkish, Russian ministers discuss regional security