Assad must leave Turkey's Idlib posts alone: Erdoğan

The Assad regime must fall back from Turkey's observation posts in northwestern Syria this month or Turkey will force the issue, said the Turkish president on Feb. 5.

"If the Syrian regime will not retreat from Turkish observation posts in Idlib in February, Turkey will be obliged to do so itself," Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told his party's lawmakers in parliament.

"Turkey's air and land forces will move freely in all operation areas [in Syria] and in Idlib, and they will conduct operations if needed," he added, amid speculation of fresh Turkish moves in northern Syria.

The Syrian regime is violating the cease-fires reached in Idlib, said Erdoğan, citing an attack this Monday that martyred seven Turkish soldiers.

"The attack on our soldiers the day before yesterday was a turning point in Syria for Turkey," he said.

Erdoğan added that every attack on Turkish soldiers or its allies will face retaliation, without any warning, regardless of the source of the attack.

In its military operations, "Turkey's main principle is not to hurt lives or the property of innocent people," he said.

The Assad regime attack in Idlib, northwestern Syria, killed seven Turkish soldiers and one civilian contractor working with the Turkish military, and injured 13 people.

In retaliation for the deadly attack, Turkey struck over 50 targets and killed 76 Syrian regime troops.
Russia's role

Turning to Moscow, which has worked with Ankara on bringing peace to Syria amid devastating attacks on Idlib and other areas, Erdoğan said Turkey's sole expectation from Russia in Syria is that it understands Turkey's sensitivities.

Idlib has been a stronghold of opposition and anti-government...