Syrian Deputy Foreign Minister Claims Turkey Boosting Military Presence In Country

SOCHI (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th February, 2021) Syria's Assistant Foreign Minister Ayman Sousan on Wednesday at the Astana-format talks in Russia's Sochi accused Ankara of strengthening its military presence in the country.

The Astana trio, which comprises Russia, Turkey and Iran, has been trying to bring the conflicting sides together to achieve a peaceful settlement in the Syrian conflict since their first meeting in the Kazakh capital of Astana (now Nur Sultan) in January 2017.

"The Turkish regime has been concealing and strengthening its military presence in Syria as a military power.

These steps betray Turkey's hostile intentions regarding Syria, and all of it reflects on the security in the region," Sousan said at a press conference after the talks.

The official called the illegal presence of Turkey and the United States "the main factors hindering the restoration of stability across Syria's territory."

Damascus has voiced multiple complaints about the Turkish military presence and operations against Kurdish armed groups at the Syrian northern border, calling them illegal and demanding Ankara to withdraw its forces.