Turkish observation point in Idlib attacked by civilian-looking groups, says ministry

ANKARA

The Defense Ministry announced on Sept. 16 that its observation point in the Idlib province of northeast Syria was attacked by some civilian-looking groups, which the ministry has identified as oriented by the Syrian regime.

“Some civilian-looking groups, directed by the Assad regime, approached our observation points 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in the Idlib de-escalation zone, attacked our observation point number 7 and dispersed after the measures taken,” the ministry tweeted.

The incident came on the day when Turkish and Russian military delegations met to discuss the latest developments in Idlib. The Defense Ministry said on Sept. 16 that Turkish and Russian officials would be meeting in Ankara and discuss the developments in Idlib and the current situation in the field.

Turkish and Russian officials initially met on Sept. 15 at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara for talks on developments in Syria and Libya. “Consultations between Turkish and Russian interagency delegations on Libya and Syria will continue at a technical level on Sept. 15-16 in Ankara,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Turkey and Russia, who back opposing sides in the Syrian civil war, agreed on March 5 to halt military activity in northwestern Idlib after an escalation in violence that had displaced nearly one million people and brought the two sides close to confrontation.

Ankara and Moscow are the main power brokers in Libya’s war and have been holding talks on a lasting ceasefire and political settlement. Russia supports the eastern-based forces of Khalifa Haftar while Turkey has helped the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA).