"At every coalition meeting we have always emphasized the need for an extensive result-oriented strategy in the fight against the Daesh terrorist group," Çavuşoğlu said in his statement to Turkish daily Yeni Şafak after speaking at the meeting in Munich, Germany where representatives were discussing measures needed for the Syrian civil war.
No ceasefire unless Russia stops attacks: Turkish FM
"If Russia does not end its airstrikes on Western-backed Syrian opposition forces, a ceasefire reached by major powers will not hold and humanitarian access will not be effectively secured," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Friday. Çavuşoğlu was speaking after a meeting in Munich, Germany at which the United States, Russia and a more than a dozen other nations agreed to cease hostilities to pave a way for a political transition in Turkey's war-ravaged neighbor. Turkey and its partners do not object to Russia targeting groups such as Daesh and Nusra Front in Syria, but Moscow needs to do so in coordination with the US-led coalition, Çavusoğlu told Turkey's state broadcaster in comments broadcast live from Munich. World powers call for 'cessation of hostilities' in Syria Çavuşoğlu also said Friday on his Twitter account that an agreement between major powers to cease hostilities in Syria to provide humanitarian aid was an important step toward resolving the crisis. More than 250,000 people in Syria have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to United Nations' figures.
"If we have such a strategy, then Turkey and Saudi Arabia may launch an operation from the land. Some parties keep saying that Turkey is unwilling in the fight against Daesh, despite Turkey's pushes for more tangible suggestions," said Çavuşoğlu.
"Saudi Arabia visited the base for exploration. Saudi Arabia declared its determination against Daesh by saying that they were ready to send both jets and troops," said Çavuşoğlu, adding that they don't have a certain plan for a land operation.
NATO: Russia must stop bombing rebel groups
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg accused Russia of undermining efforts to reach a peaceful solution in Syria by targeting opposition groups instead of Daesh terrorists and said a lasting peace would only be achieved if this stopped."Russia has mainly targeted opposition groups and not ISIL (Islamic State militants). Air strikes of Russian planes against different opposition groups in Syria have actually undermined the efforts to reach a negotiated, peaceful solution," he said.His comments came after major powers, including Russia, reached agreement on plans for a ceasefire between rebels and government forces in Syria, although Moscow has said it will continue bombing militants.No ceasefire unless Russia stops attacks: Turkish FM "What we need is a lasting ceasefire, we need help for the civilians and we need of course an agreement on transition," Stoltenberg added.Turkey's Foreign Minister indicates impossibility of ceasefire humanitarian access if Russia does not end its strikes"If Russia does not end its airstrikes on Western-backed Syrian opposition forces, a ceasefire reached by major powers will not hold and humanitarian access will not be effectively secured," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Friday.More than 250,000 people in Syria have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to United Nations' figures. World powers call for ‘cessation of hostilities’ in Syria
"We have been cooperating with Saudi Arabia in many fields, especially in defense, as we have very close relations with Qatar. Also despite having some problems with the United Arab Emirates, now we are recovering our ties. These cooperations have significance for the stability and the security of the region," Çavuşoğlu said.
Turkish President to US: Are you on Turkey's or PYD's side?
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has harshly criticized the recent statement of United States (US), that it does not recognize the Democratic Union Party (PYD) as a terror organization. "Syria has turned to a bloodbath due to your attitude not recognizing them as a terrorist organization. Are you on Turkey's side or the side of PYD/YPG terrorist organization?" said Erdoğan, addressing the US during his weekly meetings with local headmen in the capital, Ankara.We don't recognize PYD as a terrorist organization: US "The understanding that 'the enemy of my enemy is my friend' is an inappropriate approach," Erdoğan added. Erdoğan's harsh comments followed the words of State Department spokesman John Kirby, that the US doesn't recognize the PYD as a terrorist organization and it will continue with PYD as a coalition in the fight against Daesh. Erdoğan to UN: Are you kidding us? Turkish President Erdoğan, who touched on the migrant crisis over the Syrian civil war, criticized the United Nations, which called Turkey to open their doors to the refugees trying to escape the town of Aleppo over recent Assad regime and Russian airstrikes. "They are asking us to open borders to the latest influx from Syria, and they keep asking for plans and projects from us on the crisis. If it was that easy, what would be your role? Are you kidding us?" said Erdoğan, emphasizing that the situation in Syria had become a domestic security issue for Turkey.Turkey condemns US for supporting PYD Erdoğan stated that UN saying, the organization had only provided Turkey with 450 million dollars in funds for refugees, while Turkey has already spent 10 billion dollars on this crisis. Since the last week, the predominantly Turkmen quarters in central Aleppo have become vulnerable targets for the heaviest-ever airstrikes over the last five years. Turkey might have to cope with larger waves of refugee If government troops, backed by Russian air forces, continue to make serious gains in Aleppo.
Çavuşoğlu also reiterated Turkey's criticism of the United States' (US) recent statement, that it does not recognize the Democratic Union Party (PYD) as a terror organization and said that they should decide whether they are on Turkey's or PYD's side.
"No one can raise their voice to Russia, which has been launching attacks on Syria, only 12 percent of which are targeting Daesh terrorists. We have been asking for a solution which will ensure humanitarian aid and the end of the attacks. People are left to that in the beseiged regions. This is a crime. Russia's target is supporting Assad, we all know that. But the question is this: Who will stop Russia doing that? United Nations, NATO or the US?" said the Turkish Foreign Minister.
Statement amid fresh attacks
Turkish Foreign Minister's comments came a few days after the statement of State Department spokesman John Kirby, that the US doesn't recognize the PYD as a terrorist organization and it will continue with PYD as a coalition in the fight against Daesh and amid the airstrikes on predominantly Turkmen quarters in central Aleppo.
Turkey might have to cope with larger waves of refugees if government troops, backed by Russian air forces, continue to make serious gains in Aleppo.
Death toll in Syrian civil war is 470,000
In five years of civil war, 400,000 Syrians have been killed and another 70,000 have perished due to a lack of basics such as clean water and healthcare, the Guardian newspaper reported on Thursday.With those injured in the confict, that amounts to more 11 percent of the population, it said, citing the Syrian Centre for Policy Research.A U.S.-led coalition is trying to destroy Islamic State militants in Syria and wants President Bashar al-Assad to go. But Russia and Iran are propping up Assad and oppose the opponents of Assad who are being supported by the West its Arab allies such as Saudi Arabia.About 400,000 of the deaths were directly due to violence, while 70,000 died because they didn't have proper healthcare, medicine, clean water or housing.It said 1.9 million people had been wounded. Life expectancy has dropped from 70 in 2010 to 55.4 in 2015. Overall economic losses are estimated at $255 billion, the Guardian said.
A recent survey of the Syrian Center for Policy Research revealed that an estimated 470,000 people were killed during the Syrian Civil War.
About 400,000 of the deaths were directly due to violence, while 70,000 died from lack of proper health care, medicine, clean water or housing.