Turkey reaffirms no delay in delivery of S-400

OSAKA- Anadolu Agency

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan reaffirmed on June 29 that there were no delays in the delivery of Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.

Delivery of the system to Turkey is proceeding as planned, and there has been no setback in the deal with Moscow, Erdoğan said.

He made the remarks minutes before meeting with his counterpart Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan. The talks lasted 55 minutes.

Joint production of the missiles and its technology transfer are a priority for Turkey, Erdoğan said.

Following protracted efforts to purchase an air defense system from the U.S. with no success, Ankara decided in 2017 to purchase the Russian S-400s.

American officials urged Turkey to buy U.S. Patriot missiles, arguing the Russian system would be incompatible with NATO systems and expose U.S. F-35 fighter jets to possible Russian subterfuge.

Turkey, however, emphasized that the S-400 would not be integrated into NATO systems and would not pose a threat to the alliance.

'Situation in Idlib under control'

Putin also that the situation in the Syrian province of Idlib was "under control".

Commenting on the Syrian regime attack on a Turkish observation post in Idlib on June 27 Putin said he discussed the issue at a meeting with Erdoğan.

One Turkish soldier was killed in the Syrian regime attack.

"As for our Turkish partners and friends, we work with them on a daily basis [in Syria]. We are aware of all the events taking place there and together we try to monitor them. We have discussed this issue and the situation is under control," Putin said at a news conference in Osaka.

The Bashar al-Assad regime forces attacked the 10th observation post in the Zawiya region with artillery and mortar fire.

Material damage was reported and the fire it caused is yet to be extinguished.

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) sent reinforcements to the area on June 28 night, as the area has been targeted several times by Assad regime forces over the past three months.

It was the sixth such attack near the observation post, with similar attacks by the regime having been reported on April 29, May 4, 12, 31, and June 8.