Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Keçeli Addresses Developments in Idlib and Surrounding Areas

The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson, Oncu Keçeli, made a statement regarding the developments in Idlib and its adjacent areas.

Keçeli stated, "Maintaining peace in Idlib and the surrounding areas, located at the zero point of our border, is a priority issue for our country. Since 2017, several agreements regarding the Idlib De-escalation Zone have been established. Turkey diligently fulfills its obligations under these agreements. We have raised necessary warnings on various international platforms about the recent attacks targeting Idlib, which have reached a level that undermines the spirit and functioning of the Astana agreements, leading to significant civilian casualties. Indeed, the recent conflicts have caused an unwanted escalation of tension in the region. It is of great importance for Turkey to prevent new and larger instabilities and to ensure that the civilian population does not suffer. On the other hand, we are closely monitoring the increase in attacks by terrorist groups in Tel Rıfat and Manbij, which are trying to exploit the current instability and targeting civilians and Turkey. Our concerns are heightened by the failure to fulfill previously reached agreements with stakeholders aimed at ending the terrorist presence in these areas. We are closely following the developments within the framework of the importance we attribute to Syria's unity and territorial integrity, as well as our priority in combating terrorism."