Published 09:32 IST, October 23rd 2019
Turkey, Russia agree to push back Kurdish fighters from Turkey border
Turkey, Russia agreed to jointly push back the Kurdish Troops from Syria on Tuesday after marathon talks between Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Russsian President Vladimir Putin agreed to jointly push back the Kurdish Troops from Syria on Tuesday after marathon talks in Russia. Talks between the two leaders were held at the Black Sea resort town of Sochi. Talks came before a five-day ceasefire between Turkish troops and Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria was set to expire. The long meeting was centred on the security situation in northeast Syria after Turkey launched a cross-border operation on October 9 aimed at driving the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara considers 'terrorists', from the area, a foreign media house reported.
'Territorial integrity of Syria must be preserved'
According to global media reports, an MOU between the two countries, the Turkish foreign ministry, Russian military police and Syrian servicemen will be deployed to northeastern Syria, while Ankara's operation 'Peace Spring' will continue in a limited area. Russia's President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying by global media that the territorial integrity of Syria must be preserved and the country must be freed from all illegal foreign military presence. The MOU also stated that the Kurdish-led militias - the prime target of the Turkish operation - must withdraw into Syrian territory beyond 30km from the Turkish border. Meanwhile, Erdogan's operation will continue in a limited area - between towns of Tell Abyad and Ras al-Ayn - up to 32km inside Syrian territory.
Russian President Vladimir meets Syrian President Bashar Assad
Putin also stated the terrorist organisations and a few terrorists that are held captive by the Kurdish forces must not take advantage of the Turkish Forces. Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated the responsibility of those who have held IS terrorists. The Minister asked them to understand their "responsibility" in preventing IS detainees' escape. Russian President also spoke to the Syrian President, Bashar Assad. A spokesperson stated Assad has expressed support for the memorandum, stating that the Syrian border guards are ready to work together with Russian military police.
(With ANI inputs)
06:18 IST, October 23rd 2019