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Erdogan: Turkish troops not in Syria's Idlib 'yet'

October 7, 2017 at 11:06 am

President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, Turkey on 28 August 2017 [Mehmet Ali Özcan/Anadolu Agency]

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has hinted at further steps to secure Syria’s Idlib province, clarifying that while the Free Syrian Army is currently engaged in operations there, Turkish soldiers are “not there yet”.

Speaking at the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party’s 26th consultation and assessment meeting in the Aegean province of Afyonkarahisar Saturday, Erdogan said: “Currently, the Free Syrian Army is conducting the operations, Turkish soldiers are not there yet.”

“We intend to further enhance our steps in providing safety to Idlib now. There is a serious operation in Idlib today and it is going to continue.”

He also affirmed Turkey’s support for people escaping Syria’s Aleppo, adding: “We will never allow a terror corridor along our Syria border.”

Read: Erdogan: Plots to divide Syria, Iraq aim at besieging Turkey