Putin conveys to Erdogan the importance of ending the “terrorist aggression” in Syria “as soon as possible”

MADRID Dec. 3 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has conveyed to his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the importance of putting an end “as soon as possible” to the “terrorist aggression” against the Syrian Government and providing support to the “legitimate authorities” in order to restore both stability and constitutional order in the country.

Both have agreed to strengthen interaction both bilaterally and within the framework of the Astana process and have urged to promote coordination also with Iran in order to “normalize the situation in Syria”, according to the TASS news agency.

For his part, the Turkish president has highlighted that Ankara will continue to support “the territorial integrity of Syria” and wants “a just and permanent solution” for the country, which is why he has urged to increase diplomacy in the region.

Likewise, Erdogan has reiterated the importance of ensuring that civilians do not suffer harm and that Syria does not once again become “a source of instability.” In this sense, he assured that Ankara “is doing everything possible to guarantee tranquility in the country, as reported by the Anatolia news agency.

The fighting has focused in recent hours in the province of Hama, in the midst of an attack by the rebels to try to advance towards the provincial capital. The Syrian authorities have said that their bombings, carried out together with Russia, have killed “dozens” of “terrorists” in this province and in Idlib in recent hours.

The offensive by rebels and jihadists is the first large-scale offensive since Erdogan and Putin agreed to a ceasefire in 2020 after months of fighting. Moscow is one of the Syrian president’s main international supporters and its military intervention in 2015 allowed government forces to repel rebel advances and stabilize the fronts.