ANKARA (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 30th May, 2019) Turkey is holding intensive talks with Russia on ceasing hostilities in northwestern Syria as soon as possible, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Wednesday.
In early May, terrorists increased the frequency of attacks on the Syrian provinces of Hama, Aleppo and Latakia. They have also been attempting to attack the positions of the Syrian army in the region. The government forces have responded by attacking terrorists in the province of Idlib. The Syrian forces are targeting depots, artillery positions and observation posts of the Nusra Front terrorist group (banned in Russia).
"We continue our contacts to stop this drama as soon as possible, to ensure the safety of people, reinstate the ceasefire and bring stability to the region," Akar said, as quoted by the Daily Sabah newspaper.
The defense minister pointed out that Ankara wanted Moscow to exert influence on Damascus so that the Syrian government troops stop their operations in the opposition-controlled province of Idlib.
Akar added that Turkey continued efforts to de-escalate violence in Syria in line with the agreements reached during the talks in Nur-Sultan (previously known as Astana) as well as the Syrian National Dialogue Congress in Sochi.
Syria has been in a state of civil war since 2011, with the government forces fighting against numerous opposition groups as well as militant and terrorist organizations. Russia and Turkey, along with Iran, are guarantors of the ceasefire in Syria.
