Turkish Foreign Ministry Addresses Escalating Tensions in Northern Syria
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has expressed grave concerns over the recent escalation of violence in northern Syria, particularly in Idlib. A ministry spokesman, Oncu Kishele, stated that the ongoing attacks have reached a level that threatens the Astana agreements, which aim to de-escalate conflict in the region. He emphasized that maintaining calm in Idlib and its surrounding areas is a top priority for Turkey, as the situation has led to significant civilian casualties and increased instability.
Kishele highlighted Turkey's commitment to monitoring developments closely, asserting the importance of Syrian territorial integrity and the fight against terrorism. He warned that the continued escalation could have dire consequences for the civilian population and reiterated Turkey's calls for international action to halt the violence. The ministry's statement comes in the wake of a surprise attack by Syrian opposition factions on regime positions in the western Aleppo countryside, which has reignited military confrontations that had been relatively dormant for nearly five years.
Recent Military Developments and Turkey's Response
The recent military operation, dubbed
has seen opposition forces gaining control over several neighborhoods in Aleppo and large areas of western Aleppo countryside and eastern Idlib within just 48 hours. This sudden shift in power dynamics has raised alarms in Ankara, particularly regarding the actions of what Turkey labels as terrorist groups operating from Tal Rifaat and Manbij.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry has reiterated its commitment to fulfilling the requirements of the Astana agreements, which have been in place since 2017 to promote de-escalation in Idlib. However, the ministry's concerns are compounded by the failure to effectively address the presence of terrorist elements in the region, which poses a direct threat to Turkey's national security. As tensions continue to rise, Turkey is calling for concrete steps to prevent further escalation and protect civilians caught in the crossfire.
