AKP Spokesperson: Withdrawal from Observation Points in Idlib is out of the Question

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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After five soldiers lost their lives and five soldiers got wounded in an attack by the Syrian government forces in Idlib yesterday (February 10), the Ministry of National Defense has released a written statement and announced that "115 Syrian regime targets" have been hit and "101 regime military personnel" have been killed.

CLICK - Five Soldiers Killed in Syria's Idlib

As reported by Anadolu Agency (AA), the Ministry has added that three tanks, two howitzer positions and one helicopter have been also hit.

"Turkey's retaliation against the Assad regime will continue under the rules of legitimate self-defense", the statement has read further.

'So long as the regime does not withdraw...'

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik has also made a statement about the latest situation in Idlib.

"We will not withdraw from our observation points", Çelik has said.

Underlining that "in the current situation, Turkey's resolution is at its highest level", Ömer Çelik has indicated that "the Turkish Armed Forces is successfully doing its share within the frame of counter-terrorism to prevent conflicts in Idlib and to maintain border security."

Referring to Turkey's observation points in Syria's Idlib, Çelik has said, "There are observation points in Idlib. It stands as a legitimate structure as part of Astana process and Sochi. There are attacks on observation points carried out by the regime. The targets that conducted this attack have come under the heaviest possible fire."

Concluding his remarks, Ömer Çelik has stated, "So long as the regime does not withdraw from the line it has violated, the Turkish Armed Forces will do the necessary work. The regime will not be allowed to try to swallow Idlib. The regime itself is in cooperation with terrorist organizations."

Eight military personnel lost their lives

On February 3, eight personnel of the Turkish Armed Forces, including one civilian, lost their lives in a fire opened by the Syrian army. (EKN/SD)