Erdogan says hopes for Syria ceasefire deal in Putin talks

‘Turkey may bear responsibility for war crimes in Damascus’

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that he hoped to reach a deal on a ceasefire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later in the week.

He also vowed to keep the doors open for migrants heading towards Europe, as he mounted pressure on Western countries to give Turkey more assistance with the Syrian conflict and its humanitarian consequences.

Turkey said Sunday that it had launched a full military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces following increasing clashes in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib.

Erdogan’s office earlier confirmed he will hold a summit with Putin in Moscow on Thursday to discuss the escalating violence.

“I hope that he (Putin) will take the necessary measures there, such as a ceasefire, and that we will find a solution to this affair,” Erdogan said in a televised speech to members of his party in Ankara.

He also warned Europe that it will have to shoulder its part of the migrant “burden”, vowing that Turkey would continue to allow refugees to leave its territory.

“After we opened the doors, there were multiple calls saying ‘close the doors’,” he said.

“I told them ‘it’s done. It’s finished. The doors are now open. Now, you will have to take your share of the burden’.”

Meanwhile, UN investigators warned Monday that Ankara might bear “criminal responsibility” for war crimes perpetrated against Kurds in northern Syria late last year, including the execution of a popular female politician.

The report comes as tensions soar between Turkey and Russian-backed Syrian forces following escalating clashes in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib, but is not directly linked to the latest unrest.

The UN Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in war-ravaged Syria said in its latest report that Turkey could potentially be held criminally liable for severe violations carried out by its allies, the Syrian National Army rebel fighters.

 

Erdogan says hopes for Syria ceasefire deal in Putin talks

Turkey may bear responsibility for war crimes in Damascus

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that he hoped to reach a deal on a ceasefire in Syria when he meets his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin later in the week. He also vowed to keep the doors open for migrants heading towards Europe, as he mounted pressure on Western countries to give Turkey more assistance with the Syrian conflict and its humanitarian consequences. Turkey said Sunday that it had launched a full military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces following increasing clashes in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib. Erdogans office earlier confirmed he will hold a summit with Putin in Moscow on Thursday to discuss the escalating violence. I hope that he (Putin) will take the necessary measures there, such as a ceasefire, and that we will find a solution to this affair, Erdogan said in a televised speech to members of his party in Ankara. He also warned Europe that it will have to shoulder its part of the migrant burden, vowing that Turkey would continue to allow refugees to leave its territory. After we opened the doors, there were multiple calls saying close the doors, he said. I told them its done. Its finished. The doors are now open. Now, you will have to take your share of the burden. Meanwhile, UN investigators warned Monday that Ankara might bear criminal responsibility for war crimes perpetrated against Kurds in northern Syria late last year, including the execution of a popular female politician. The report comes as tensions soar between Turkey and Russian-backed Syrian forces following escalating clashes in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib, but is not directly linked to the latest unrest. The UN Commission of Inquiry on the human rights situation in war-ravaged Syria said in its latest report that Turkey could potentially be held criminally liable for severe violations carried out by its allies, the Syrian National Army rebel fighters.