Zakharova: Tension escalated in Idleb because of Turkey’s non-commitment to its pledges pursuant to Sochi agreement
MOSCOW, (ST)- The Russian Foreign Ministry has stressed that the reason behind the current tension in the de-escalation zone in Idleb is Turkey’s non-commitment to its pledges pursuant to the Sochi agreement signed on September 17, 2018.
The Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a briefing on Wednesday that the Turkish regime is responsible for the escalation of tension in Idleb because it hasn’t so far implemented its obligations provided in the Sochi agreement and because it has transported pro-Turkish groups to the northeastern part of Syria.
She affirmed that Russia is adherent to the agreements signed within the framework of the Astana process on Syria and it is determined to continue working to implement them completely.
The Russian diplomat emphasized that all the de-escalation zones in Syria were established as a measure that shouldn’t undermine the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and should not hamper the fight against terrorist groups which have been internationally blacklisted.
In her briefing, Zakharova also said that Israeli airstrikes against Syrian territories don’t only violate the sovereignty of the Syrian state, but also threaten the life of civilians.
She clarified that the Israeli warplanes, which launched an aggression against several areas in Damascus Countryside last Friday, took advantage of a civil plane to protect themselves from the Syrian air defenses, endangering the lives of scores of civilians who were on board the plane. This incident was also confirmed by the Russian Defense Ministry’s spokesman, Major General Igor Konashinkov on February 7th.
In a relevant context, the Russian Defense Ministry said that the situation in Idleb is dangerously exacerbating because the Turkish regime has brought Turkish weapons, ammunition and armored vehicles to this area.
Hamda Mustafa