Changing borders of Idlib de-escalation zone in northwestern Syria, as determined by Astana and Sochi agreements, is out of question, Turkey’s presidential spokesman said on Thursday.
Speaking at a news conference on Thursday, Ibrahim Kalin said it is not possible for Turkey to accept any proposal of change regarding the de-escalation zone.
Kalin reiterated that Turkey’s 12 observations points in northwestern Syria will remain in their places.
He also said the meeting of the Astana process might be held in March.
Turkey, Russia and Iran held meetings in Astana city of Kazakhstan in 2017 and announced that Idlib and neighboring cities, Eastern Ghouta region of capital Damascus and southern regions, namely Daraa and Quneitra cities, would be de-escalation zones.
However, the Assad regime and Iranian-backed terror groups launched attacks in violation of the agreements and, thanks to Russian air support, gained control of all these territories with the exception of Idlib city.
In September 2018, Turkey and Russia agreed to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.
The Syrian regime and its allies, however, have consistently broken the terms of the cease-fire -- including a fresh cease-fire on Jan. 12 -- launching frequent attacks inside the zone, killing at least 1,300 civilians since the agreement.
Migration flow from Syria
Kalin said Turkey will continue its efforts with non-governmental organizations to prevent the further flow of refugees from Idlib.
He emphasized that Turkey will provide necessary deployment and support to ensure the security of civilians.
One of Turkey’s priorities is the withdrawal of regime forces to the borders of the de-escalation zone by the end of this month, he added.
The attacks by the regime forces, Iranian-backed terror groups and Russian strikes stand as the main reasons behind the forced migration.
With the latest displacements, the number of people displaced from Idlib and Aleppo since the beginning of last year has mounted to nearly 1.68 million.
Since the eruption of the bloody civil war in Syria in 2011, Turkey has taken in some 3.7 million Syrians who fled their country, making it the world’s top refugee-hosting country.
