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Erdogan: Syrian regime attacks in Idlib causes "major humanitarian crisis"

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin
ANKARA, Aug 23 (KUNA) -- Assad regime's attacks in Idlib have damaged efforts to find a solution to Syria conflict and caused "major humanitarian crisis", said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Friday.
Assad regime's ceasefire violations in Idlib, northwestern Syria, is causing a humanitarian crisis, Turkish President told his Russian counterpart Vladimir over phone according to the Anadolu Agency (AA).
Erdogan said the Assad regime's attacks in Idlib -- an area where a ceasefire is supposed to be in effect -- damage efforts to find a solution to Syria crisis and pose a serious threat to Turkey's national security.
Turkey and Russia agreed last September to turn Idlib into a de-escalation zone where acts of aggression are expressly prohibited.
The de-escalation zone is currently home to some four million civilians, including hundreds of thousands displaced in recent years by regime forces from throughout the country.
During the phone conversation, Erdogan and Putin discussed the latest developments in Libya.
Last Monday, Turkish Defense Ministry said that three civilians were killed and 12 others injured in a Syrian regime attack on a Turkish military convoy in Idlib. Another Syrian regime assault occurred yesterday in Idlib with no casualties reported.
In May, Moscow and Ankara agreed on forming a work group that would de-escalate the situation in Idlib in line with the Astana and Sochi accords.
According to the Astana agreement, Turkey and Russia each established around 22 observation points in Idlib. (end) rs.gta