Russia, Turkey agree on borders of demilitarised zone in Idlib Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavro

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Russia and Turkey agreed on borders of the demilitarised zone around Syria's Idlib, part of a deal aimed to prevent a military assault on the last rebel enclave, Russia's top diplomat said.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the announcement on Friday as his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said he and Lavrov would meet Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif in New York City next week to further discuss the situation in Syria.

"Just yesterday or the day before, the militaries of Russia and Turkey agreed the concrete frontiers of the demilitarised zone," Lavrov told reporters during a visit to Sarajevo.

WATCH: Russia-Turkey deal gives Idlib's wary residents 'glimpse of hope' (1:59)
Moscow said the demilitarised zone would help stop attacks from Idlib on Syrian army positions and Russia's military bases in the region.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed on the establishment of the 15-20km zone.

Security in the area will be overseen by Turkish contingents and Russian military police. The agreement will prevent military action against Idlib, Russia's defence minister said.

"It's an intermediate step ... but a necessary step," Lavrov said of the zone.

"By mid-October, all [fighters from Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham] must leave this demilitarised zone, and all heavy military equipment must be pulled out of there," he said.

According to the diplomatic sources in Ankara, a coordinated feasibility study on the zone is being held by the Turkish and Russian military and intelligence officers. It is planned to be completed by September 30 and then presented to Putin and Erdogan



Cooperation between Russia-Turkey-Syria-Iran is critical for regional peace in my opinion

 

[khansaheeb]

Oh dear, sounds like partitioning of Syria.

 

[Tshering22]

Cooperation between Russia-Turkey-Syria-Iran is critical for regional peace in my opinion

This is just temporary. Think about it; Turkey needs to move away from USA under Erdogan and Russia is the best bet. Once Turkey goes full Ottoman, expect Russo-Turkish tensions to rise again.

 

[zectech]

This is really good news. Idlib has little strategic/economic value unlike the oil fields occupied by the PKK. Assad went after the wrong region, instead of fighting terrorist kurds, Assad moved the military to attack a civilian region. Assad's refusal to deal with Erdogan is not benefiting the Syrians anything. If Assad said to Erdogan, let jointly attack the PKK by using proxies to free Northeast Syria, Assad would have most of Syria, except Idlib and Afrin. Then Assad would be better positioned working with the Turks, Iranians, and Russians, heading into peace talks. Going after a civilian area before the PKK terrorists, is not helping Assad, as shown in this demilitarized zone.

 

[T-123456]

This is really good news. Idlib has little strategic/economic value unlike the oil fields occupied by the PKK. Assad went after the wrong region, instead of fighting terrorist kurds, Assad moved the military to attack a civilian region. Assad's refusal to deal with Erdogan is not benefiting the Syrians anything. If Assad said to Erdogan, let jointly attack the PKK by using proxies to free Northeast Syria, Assad would have most of Syria, except Idlib and Afrin. Then Assad would be better positioned working with the Turks, Iranians, and Russians, heading into peace talks. Going after a civilian area before the PKK terrorists, is not helping Assad, as shown in this demilitarized zone.

He cant go after the YPG territories,the US would destroy him,he knows that very well.
Why do you think the Russians never bombed the YPG,even they fear the US.

 

[zectech]

He cant go after the YPG territories,the US would destroy him,he knows that very well.
Why do you think the Russians never bombed the YPG,even they fear the US.

Erdogan knows how to deal with them, use the FSA. Then your proxy is attacking the kurds and other terrorists in the region, not the Turkish Armed Forces.

The other option Assad has is for permanent Washington bases in Syria, like Iraq and Turkey. Either kick them out or they will stay in and keep arming themselves more and more.

Assad sees no threat to the PKK, that is his problem. If Amerikans are not leaving Syria, what was the point of bombing Aleppo or retaking Syria at great civilian cost, better for the FSA to win. They have no fear of the Amerikans.

 

[Bismarck]

He cant go after the YPG territories,the US would destroy him,he knows that very well.
Why do you think the Russians never bombed the YPG,even they fear the US.

This is the part which Iranian, Turkeys proxy should take of. And maybe some Arabian fractions.

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Syria is a cat and mouse game , Each party want to emit a persona of Power without showing all the cards they hold in their hand

USA/Israel : Don't want copies of F35 Wreckage to fall in Russian hands
Russia : Does not wants to give up secrets of it's Advance SAM systems

Turkey : They are just there because they are paying big price for housing refugees

Turkey / Russia / Iran / Syria : All do not want to see PKK create a permanent presence