Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rules Out Ceasefire Between Damascus, Idlib Terrorists

MUNICH (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th February, 2019) There will be no ceasefire between the Syrian government and the terrorists operating in the Syrian province of Idlib with the latter remaining targets for airstrikes, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin said on Sunday.

"There will be no ceasefire between the [Syrian] government or those, who are supporting the government, and terrorists. They are a common threat to everyone," Vershinin said at the Munich Security conference, adding that the terrorists in Idlib remained targets for airstrikes.

On Thursday, the presidents of Russia, Turkey and Iran held the fourth trilateral meeting on settlement of the Syrian conflict in the Russian resort city of Sochi.

According to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the meeting focused on the situation in Idlib.

Idlib remains the last major stronghold of radical militants in Syria. Despite rumors about the possible Syrian government troops' operation in the province, on September 17, Russia and Turkey reached a ceasefire agreement on the Idlib de-escalation zone.

However, on Saturday, Erdogan said that Turkey may conduct a joint military operation in Idlib together with Russia and Iran.