Russia to consider Turkish interests on regime-controlled safe zone in Syria
MOSCOW
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Jan. 16 the Syrian regime must take control of the country’s north, while adding that Moscow will consider the interests of all parties, including Turkey, in setting up a safe zone.
"We are convinced that the best and only solution is the transfer of these territories under the control of the Syrian government, and of Syrian security forces and administrative structures," Lavrov told reporters.
Turkey said on Jan. 15 it would set up the "security zone" in northern Syria following a suggestion from President Donald Trump, who announced last month he was pulling American troops from the country.
Russia will consider the interests of all parties, Syria’s neighbors, including Turkey regarding the safe zone, Lavrov said on Jan. 16.
The US-allied YPG, who control much of northern Syria, have rejected the idea, fearing a military offensive by Turkey, which lists the group as a terrorist organization.
Russia is a long-time supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Lavrov said the future Syria's Kurds could be secured under regime control.
"We welcome and support contacts that have now begun between Kurdish representatives and Syrian authorities so they can return to their lives under a single government without outside interference," Lavrov said during an annual press conference.
He said there was progress in resolving Syria’s seven-year conflict and that the focus should remain on Idlib, the northwestern province that earlier this month fell under the full control of a jihadist group dominated by Syria’s former Al-Qaeda affiliate.
"The Syrian settlement is progressing, though of course more slowly than we would like," he said. "The fight against terrorism must be completed. Now the main hotbed of terrorism is Idlib."
