Russia recognizes Turkey's legitimate interests to ensure its border security, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday. “We have always
Russia recognizes Turkey’s legitimate interests to ensure its border security, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
“We have always said that we recognize legitimate interests of Turkey in ensuring security of its border,” Lavrov told a meeting of heads of intelligence services in Sochi, a Russian coastal city.
The minister said Russia advocates the establishment of a “practical cooperation” between Damascus and Ankara on the basis of the 1998 Adana Agreement, which allows Turkish forces to conduct military operations in Syria.
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Akar makes military salute at AK Party parliamentary group meeting
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar makes a military salute as he arrives for the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s parliamentary group meeting during which President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan delivers a speech at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey on October 16, 2019.
“Practically the military of the two countries must determine concrete parameters of such a cooperation. We are ready to assist such a dialogue,” he said.
Lavrov confirmed talks between the Syrian government and the terrorist group YPG/PKK have started. Russia will encourage the success and implementation of agreements between the two parties.
Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring on Oct. 9 to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.
Turkey has said the PKK and the YPG/PYD constitute the biggest threats to Syria’s future, jeopardizing the country’s territorial integrity and unitary structure.
Syrian National Army commanders: Kurds are our siblings
The Syrian National Army (SNA), Turkey’s allies in its anti-terror operation in northern Syria, are meeting with locals in liberated villages and spreading messages of peace and fellowship.“We’ve come here to liberate you. Arabs, Kurds, and Christians are all equal in our eyes. We don’t discriminate,” a Syrian National Army commander on Wednesday told locals recently liberated from YPG/PKK terrorists.Operation Peace Spring was launched on Oct. 9 to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.Video: Operation Peace Spring continues in northern SyriaOn day eight of the operation, Anadolu Agency cameras captured meetings between liberated locals and SNA soldiers.Telling the locals they have nothing to fear, the commander said: “I have just one request: If you see mines or traps, show us where they are.”“We’re here to wipe out the PKK” terrorist group, the commander stressed, adding: “Kurds are our brothers.”A villager thanked the Syrian National Army soldiers for their struggle, saying, “They [YPG/PKK] seized my house two years ago. Today, you returned it.”“May God bless you. I hope you will gain a victory over them,” he said.’Claims against Turkey’s anti-terror push are weak’At least 46 Syrian National Army (SNA) soldiers have been martyred and 136 others injured during Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria since last week.Ankara wants to clear northern Syria east of the Euphrates River of the terrorist PKK and its Syrian offshoot, the PYD/YPG.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union — has been responsible for deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.Turkey remands four trying to recruit children for PKKTurkey’s anti-terror operation rightful: Experts
Unequal treatment for Turkish footballers under probe
Turkish football players targeted by an official probe seem to be facing unequal treatment compared to fellow players from elsewhere in Europe.Following a request from France, UEFA — European football’s governing body — announced the probe after Monday’s EURO 2020 qualifiers in Istanbul and France, where Turkish players gave military-style salutes in celebration of goals.But UEFA’s Tuesday decision stands in stark contrast to such football stars as Cristiano Ronaldo, Marcelo, Antoine Griezmann, and Mario Mandzukic, who all did salutes during matches in recent years, but none of whom faced any disciplinary probes.In July 2018, French star Griezmann made a military salute in front of French President Emmanuel Macron in Moscow, during a ceremony at the 2018 FIFA World Cup final when France beat Croatia 4-2 to be world champions. He faced no UEFA probe.Video: Turkish soldiers in Tel Abyad send message to National Team saluting themDecrying the discrepancy on Tuesday, Turkey’s Youth and Sports Minister Mehmet Muharrem Kasapoglu said: “Whoever said nothing about Griezmann’s military salute is trying to distort our footballers’ grateful salute.”He added: “l call on UEFA to act sensibly on this investigation request.”Moreover, in October 2013, when he was playing for Real Madrid, Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo also celebrated a goal by saluting along with his teammate Marcelo.In March 2009, when playing for Barcelona, French player Thierry Henry and Cameroonian star Samuel Eto’o also did a salute during a UEFA Champions League match against Bayern Munich.In addition, in November 2012, Croatian international Mario Mandzukic also did a salute when he was playing for Bayern Munich.Turkish soldiers thank national players supporting op.Turkey criticizes France over request for UEFA sanctionEURO 2020 quals: France upset over Turkey draw at home