MHP: If Turkey Withdraws from Idlib, It will Lose Hatay

Source and photo: AA

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If Turkey withdraws its troops from Syria's Idlib, it will inevitably lose its own land, according to Devlet Bahçeli, the chair of the Nationalist Movement Party.

"We are forming a Turkish defense zone. Turkey is not in war games in Idlib. The aim is the safety of the homeland, borders and lands," he told his party's parliamentary group, referring to Turkey's military operations in Syria's northwestern border province.

CLICK - What Happened in Idlib in the Last Two Days?

After 34 soldiers lost their lives in an airstrike in Idlib on February 27, Turkey on Sunday announced that it started the "Operation Spring Shield." 

Bahçeli also warned Moscow about the agreements with Ankara: "Russia should review its tyrannical politics and abide by the Astana and Sochi principles."

Bahçeli said that Russia should support Turkey in forming a security zone along with a depth of 30 to 45 kilometers along the border with Syria.

CLICK - Erdoğan: Operations in Syria to Continue, Borders to Stay Open for Refugees 

Referring to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's planned visit to Moscow on Thursday (March 4), he said a "compensation and apology" should be put on the agenda.

He went on to say that the government forces of Syria should immediately retreat from Turkey's observation posts in Idlib without any preconditions.

Additionally, Ankara should jointly control the strategic M-4 and M-5 highways with Russia, he said.

Bahçeli said Turkey should never make concessions to its "rightful" policy in Syria.

"The existence of Russia and Iran in Syria is illegitimate and it is, at the same time, absolutely against the international law," Bahçeli said.

"I am warning! Turkey is not joking. The Idlib issue is directly related to the survival and protection of a homeland. Russia and Syria should not try Turkey's patience anymore," he concluded.

The MHP is in an alliance with Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). (TP/VK)