WASHINGTON

Turkey's presence in Syria is giving hope to millions of Syrians, its UN representative Feridun Sinirlioglu said Thursday. 

Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting in New York, Sinirlioglu said Turkey would not "stand idle" while the Bashar al-Assad regime and Russia continue their offensive in Idlib, northwest Syria.

"We are not going to watch," said the envoy who noted that Turkey hosts 4 million Syrian refugees and provides care to 5 million more living in northern Syria.

"Altogether nine million Syrians are under Turkey's protection. Our presence on the ground gives hope to millions. We will continue to help our Syrian sisters and brothers," he said. "We will not let them down."

Sinirlioglu asserted the roadmap to find a lasting solution in the war-torn country is cessation of hostilities and full implementation of the Sochi memorandum.

Idlib

The envoy also slammed regime attacks on Turkish troops in Idlib, saying Ankara is "now determined more than ever to preserve the Idlib deescalation status."

He said Turkey would not withdraw forces and abandon observation posts.

"We will not allow the regime to act contrary to agreements on Idlib," he added.

In a latest attack, two Turkish soldiers were martyred by Assad regime forces in Idlib, the country’s National Defense Ministry said early Thursday.

Turkey retaliated for the attack with full force and 114 regime targets were heavily struck and destroyed, the ministry said in a series of tweets.

In September 2018, Turkey and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone in which acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.

But more than 1,300 civilians have been killed in attacks by the regime and Russian forces in the de-escalation zone since then as the cease-fire continues to be violated.

More than 1 million Syrians have moved near the Turkish border due to intense attacks.