Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov
Russia on Tuesday said the memorandum of understanding signed by Moscow and Ankara to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib is being implemented.
Russian military personnel are satisfied with the work of their Turkish colleagues in Idlib, Dmitry Peskov, the presidential spokesman, told journalists in Moscow.
On Sept. 17, Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib.
Ankara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.
Under the deal, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing renewed fighting.
"The memorandum is being implemented and the militaries are satisfied with how the Turkish side works in this regard," Peskov said.
Some four million civilians taking shelter in Syria's Idlib province -- with Turkey's efforts -- have been protected from a possible massacre and migration risk imposed by the Bashar al-Assad regime and its allies.Located in northwest Syria, Idlib has become one of the regions hit by the greatest wave of violence during the Syrian civil war. Therefore, it was declared a de-escalation zone following the Astana meeting by Turkey, Russia and Iran on May 4-5, 2017.At the same time, being the "stronghold" of the military opposition amid the civil war, Idlib received a great number of refugees.Due to the attacks by the Assad regime and its allies, the civilians fled from various parts of the country to Idlib, increasing the population of the province to nearly four million.In addition, the military opposition which were forcefully evacuated from the many points that the regime had recently seized through the blockade were also gathered in Idlib.Idlib -- where armed groups such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham and Huraseddin also have a presence along with the opposition -- has turned into the new target of the regime and allies in the summer.While the regime forces intensely deployed military elements to Idlib -- surrounding it from three directions -- the regime head Assad and Russian officials made threatening statements towards the region.The regime and Russia launched airstrikes on Idlib on Sept. 4. Tens of thousands of civilians began to migrate towards the regions near the Turkish border or the Turkish army's observation points in the country.As the UN increased its warnings on a possible huge civilian massacre, migration wave and humanitarian crisis in Idlib, Turkey accelerated its diplomacy traffic.Turkish officials conducted meetings with delegations of Russia and Iran, the guarantors of the Syrian cease-fire within the framework of Astana agreements.Following Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's proposal during the trilateral summit held in Tehran on Sept. 7, Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed on additional measures to maintain the cease-fire in Idlib in a meeting held in Sochi on Sept. 17.Following the Sochi Agreement, a new phase started in Idlib -- the regime and Russia ended their airstrikes and threats.Some 80,000 civilians who left their homes following the attacks returned to Idlib. The civilians, encouraged by the Turkish army's presence at the observation points, began to repair their houses damaged by the attacks.Despite the difficult conditions, the families began to send their children to schools. The environment of trust revived the social and economic life in the city.World congratulated Turkey for Idlib deal: ErdoğanErdoğan: Turkey to remain in Idlib, help people in need
Turkey's diplomatic success protects 4M people in Idlib
The world congratulated Turkey for the Idlib agreement, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Saturday.Speaking at a mass opening ceremony in central Anatolian province of Kayseri, Erdoğan said, “The whole world congratulated Turkey for humanitarian and strategic success that we achieved in Syria’s Idlib.”"Turkey saved tens of thousands of people from death, millions from misery, through the stability it maintained in Idlib,” he said.Following a meeting in Sochi last month between Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the two countries agreed to establish the Idlib demilitarized zone.Erdoğan: Turkey to remain in Idlib, help people in needAnkara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.Under the deal, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing renewed fighting."They [terrorists] are looking for opportunities to hurt our country but we won’t give them this chance by Allah's will,” he said.FETÖ terror group afloat in Ethiopia with German support“Some who have not accounted yet for being [Fetullah Gulen Organization] FETÖ member and in the very heart of this betrayal gang shouldn’t think that they have escaped,” Erdoğan added.The Fetullah Terrorist Organization and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.Ankara also accuses FETÖ of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.Probe into US Embassy shooting in Ankara completed
World congratulated Turkey for Idlib deal: Erdoğan
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Friday said that Turkey saved millions from misery through the stability it maintained in Idlib and will continue doing so.“Turkey saved tens of thousands of people from death, millions from misery, through the stability it maintained in Idlib,” Erdoğan said at the dinner of the 4th International Summit of High Courts.He added that by hosting over 4 million refugees from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and African countries, Turkey “carries the burden and saves the honor of the international community".“We are doing this without any notable assistance of the international community and organizations. As of now we have spent $33 billion only for refugees from Syria,” he said.The president said that in Syria Turkey works on the security and justice systems, which in return paves way for peace.Stating that Turkey’s understanding of justice comes from its history and civilization, he said Ankara continues to fight in the best interests of its brothers and all of humanity.Syrian opposition’s arms removal proves trust in TurkeyFollowing a meeting in Sochi last month between Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, the two countries agreed to establish the Idlib demilitarized zone.Ankara and Moscow also signed a memorandum of understanding calling for the “stabilization” of Idlib's de-escalation zone, in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.Under the deal, opposition groups in Idlib will remain in areas in which they are already present, while Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols in the area with a view to preventing renewed fighting.Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.Plight of stranded Syrians worsens as food blockedTurkey says demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib formed, heavy weapons withdrawnLavrov says Idlib demilitarization 'progressing well'
Erdoğan: Turkey to remain in Idlib, help people in need