Russia is “determined” to continue close cooperation and coordinated work with Turkey on diplomatic and military lines to fully normalize the situation in Syria, the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.
The Syrian settlement traditionally occupies one of the central places in the dialogue between Moscow and Ankara, Maria Zakharova told a news conference in Moscow.
She said: “In particular, we are talking about the northeast of the country, the province of Idlib,” which falls within a de-escalation zone forged under an agreement between Turkey and Russia in March 2020.
Read more: Why did Russia and Turkey set sights on a war-torn Syria?
Zakharova recalled that both the countries are initiators and members of the Astana format (talks aimed to end the Syrian crisis), stressing that they “are firmly determined to continue contributing to the advancement of the political process in Syria” on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
She welcomed “the beginning of humanitarian supplies to Idlib through the line of contact in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2585 and the norms of international humanitarian law.”
Distinguished Fellow James Jeffrey breaks down the recent meeting between Russia and Turkey regarding the Idlib region in Syria — and what it could mean for the Syrian people.https://t.co/2fYkg7SaXM
— The Wilson Center (@TheWilsonCenter) October 7, 2021
The Syrian civil war
The Syrian civil war started in 2011 with peaceful demonstrations against Bashar al-Assad that were suppressed with brutal force by his regime.
The unrest in Syria (which began on 15 March 2011 as part of the wider 2011 Arab Spring protests) grew out of discontent with the Syrian government and escalated to an armed conflict after protests calling for Assad’s removal were violently suppressed.
According to the UN human rights chief, more than 350,000 people have been killed in the over 10 years of conflict in Syria, but the tally is “certainly an undercount.”
Read more: Syrian humanitarian aid: it’s high time for long-term sustainable planning
Over 6.6 million Syrians have also been forced to leave the country over the past decade. Turkey alone hosts approximately 3.7 million of these people – more than any other country in the world.
Courtesy: Anadolu Agency with additional input by GVS