Turkish military posts in Syria’s Idlib will stand after ceasefire

Turkey’s military observation posts in Syria’s Idlib will retain their current status with the Russian-Turkish ceasefire deal, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was cited as saying by his office on Friday, adding the agreement laid the groundwork for the normalization of the region.

Turkey and Russia announced the agreement on Thursday to contain an escalating conflict in Syria’s northwest. The deal did not address some key Turkish demands including withdrawal of Syrian government forces from its observation posts.

A picture taken on February 5, 2020 shows a Turkish military observation post near Tall Touqan village, in Syria's northwestern Idlib province. (AFP)

Speaking on his return flight from Moscow, Erdogan also said the United States could have sent military support to Turkey for Idlib if there was no ceasefire on Thursday, but that no support had been sent yet.

He also reiterated that Turkey would activate the Russian S-400 defense systems it purchased despite protests from Washington next month, adding he had also asked for US Patriot systems.