Lavrov, Cavusoglu discuss Syria’s Idlib

Lavrov, Cavusoglu discuss Syria’s Idlib
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday (August 14) that Assad militia has a right to defend itself against attacks in Idlib and Moscow will support those operations, pouring cold water on suggestions a major offensive could be avoided.

His comments came during a joint news conference in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in which Turkey and Russia’s visions for the last remaining opposition-held province in Syria appeared in stark contrast, MEE reported.

Asked whether Russia would support Assad regime operation in Idlib, Lavrov said that all other de-escalation zones in the country had been declared under the condition that the ceasefires wouldn’t include terror groups.

"Armed groups should split from terror groups. We know al-Nusra Front is active with thousands of militants," he said.

"Yes, Turkey’s monitoring posts helped to ease the tension, but recently, they are attacking the Assad army and also Russia’s Khmeimim military air base. The Assad army has the right to defend itself against those attacks, and we have to support their operations."

Meanwhile, Cavusoglu said he hopes to find a solution over Idlib. 

“To bomb all the city only because of terror groups would lead to a massacre and large-scale crisis," Cavusoglu said.

"We should separate the moderate opposition from the terrorists. Since all those groups and also the civilians are very unhappy with these terrorists, we should all be cooperating.” 

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