Turkey will improve its cooperation with Libya and is ready to provide military support for the Tripoli-based government or back joint steps in the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Last month, Turkey and Libya's internationally recognised government signed accords on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-and-libya-sign-deal-on-maritime-zones-in-the-mediterranean-265082">maritime boundaries</a>, which enraged Greece. Ankara says it may <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ready-to-send-troops-to-back-libya-unity-government-turkey-267502">send troops to Libya</a>, which has been divided into rival political factions since 2014 if the Tripoli-based government requests it.

"We will speed up the process between Turkey and Libya. We told them that we are always ready to help if they need it. From military and security cooperation to steps taken regarding our maritime rights: we are ready,"&nbsp;Erdogan told reporters in Geneva after a forum on migration.

&nbsp;

WATCH:&nbsp;Erdogan slams Macron over NATO remarks

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Turkey will improve its cooperation with Libya and is ready to provide military support for the Tripoli-based government or back joint steps in the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday.

Turkey will improve its cooperation with Libya and is ready to provide military support for the Tripoli-based government or back joint steps in the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday. Last month, Turkey and Libya's internationally recognised government signed accords on maritime boundaries, which enraged Greece. Ankara says it may send troops to Libya, which has been divided into rival political factions since 2014 if the Tripoli-based government requests it. "We will speed up the process between Turkey and Libya. We told them that we are always ready to help if they need it. From military and security cooperation to steps taken regarding our maritime rights: we are ready," Erdogan told reporters in Geneva after a forum on migration. WATCH: Erdogan slams Macron over NATO remarks ×

Will speed up cooperation between Turkey and Libya: Erdogan

President Donald Trump's administration said Tuesday it does not consider the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 to be genocide, seeking to placate Turkey which was angered that the US Congress recognized it as such.

"The position of the administration has not changed" after the votes by Congress, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a terse statement.

"Our views are reflected in the president's definitive statement on this issue from last April," she said.

In the statement on the mass killings' anniversary, Trump said the United States honored victims of "one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century" but did not use the word genocide.

He instead encouraged Armenians and Turks to "acknowledge and reckon with their painful history."

Armenia says that 1.5 million were killed in an effort to wipe out the Christian ethnic group in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, the forerunner of modern-day Turkey.

Turkey puts the number far lower and adamantly rejects the term genocide, saying that Turks also died in what it considers fighting as part of First World War.

Turkey last week summoned the US ambassador to Ankara, David Satterfield, after the Senate followed the House of Representatives in recognizing the killings as genocide.

The Senate and House resolutions, both passed overwhelmingly, said it was the policy of the United States "to commemorate the Armenian genocide through official recognition and remembrance."

But the so-called simple resolutions, unlike laws passed by Congress, do not have the force of law or require the president's signature, meaning that the administration still has significant leeway in how to proceed.

Allies of Trump had initially tried to block the resolutions in Congress in hopes of preserving relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

During a meeting in Washington last month, Trump said he was a "big fan" of Erdogan despite wide criticism in Congress over his human rights record and his incursion into Syria to fight Kurdish fighters formerly allied with Washington.

Trump has also held off on sanctions urged by Congress over the NATO ally's purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defence system.

Previous presidents have also struggled with how to address the events of 1915, with the Armenian-American community pushing hard for genocide recognition.

Barack Obama as a candidate promised to recognize the genocide but after his election did not use the word, instead of saying that he stood by his pre-White House views.

sct/jm

President Donald Trump's administration said Tuesday it does not consider the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 to be genocide, seeking to placate Turkey which was angered that the US Congress recognized it as such.

President Donald Trump's administration said Tuesday it does not consider the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 to be genocide, seeking to placate Turkey which was angered that the US Congress recognized it as such. "The position of the administration has not changed" after the votes by Congress, State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a terse statement. "Our views are reflected in the president's definitive statement on this issue from last April," she said. In the statement on the mass killings' anniversary, Trump said the United States honored victims of "one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century" but did not use the word genocide. He instead encouraged Armenians and Turks to "acknowledge and reckon with their painful history." Armenia says that 1.5 million were killed in an effort to wipe out the Christian ethnic group in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire, the forerunner of modern-day Turkey. Turkey puts the number far lower and adamantly rejects the term genocide, saying that Turks also died in what it considers fighting as part of First World War. Turkey last week summoned the US ambassador to Ankara, David Satterfield, after the Senate followed the House of Representatives in recognizing the killings as genocide. The Senate and House resolutions, both passed overwhelmingly, said it was the policy of the United States "to commemorate the Armenian genocide through official recognition and remembrance." But the so-called simple resolutions, unlike laws passed by Congress, do not have the force of law or require the president's signature, meaning that the administration still has significant leeway in how to proceed. Allies of Trump had initially tried to block the resolutions in Congress in hopes of preserving relations with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. During a meeting in Washington last month, Trump said he was a "big fan" of Erdogan despite wide criticism in Congress over his human rights record and his incursion into Syria to fight Kurdish fighters formerly allied with Washington. Trump has also held off on sanctions urged by Congress over the NATO ally's purchase of Russia's S-400 missile defence system. Previous presidents have also struggled with how to address the events of 1915, with the Armenian-American community pushing hard for genocide recognition. Barack Obama as a candidate promised to recognize the genocide but after his election did not use the word, instead of saying that he stood by his pre-White House views. sct/jm

Placating Turkey, Trump admin says doesn't recognise Armenian genocide

A recent report by a US-based committee on Wednesday has once again exposed the repressive state of media in China as the Asian giant has jailed the most number of journalists in 2018.&nbsp;

In 2019, at least 48 journalists are jailed in China, according to the report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists.&nbsp;

The report cites the arrest of Sophia Huang Xueqin, a Chinese freelance journalist after writing about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong.&nbsp;

Turkey stands at the second spot, with the imprisonment of 47 journalists, as per the report which also mentions&nbsp;Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, Vietnam, and Iran for their jailing of journalists.

The report states that Turkey, which was jailing most journalists in the last three years, has not improved the state of its media, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was successfully able to eliminate criticism and independent reporting.&nbsp;

It added that the Turkish government has shut down over 100 media organisations and framed terror-related charges against many of their employees, putting several reporters out of work and intimidating others.&nbsp;

"Dozens of journalists not currently jailed in Turkey are still facing trial or appeal and could yet be sentenced to prison, while others have been sentenced in absentia and face arrest if they return to the country," the report said.

The report adds that authoritarianism, instability and protests in the Middle East have led to the arrest of a large number of journalists, with Saudi Arabia becoming the third-worst jailer alongside Egypt, each imprisoning 26 journalists. &nbsp;

So, far, no charges have been framed against 18 journalists jailed in Saudi Arabia and the report expressed concern over "beating, burning and starving political prisoners, including four journalists."

Many of the journalists were jailed in Egypt ahead of the anti-corruption protests in September that demanded the resignation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. &nbsp;

The report mentions that at least 250 journalists were put behind bar around the world.&nbsp;

"CPJ believes that journalists should not be imprisoned for doing their jobs," the group said in its findings.&nbsp;

(with input from AFP) 
&nbsp;

A recent report by a US-based committee on Wednesday has once again exposed the repressive state of media in China as the Asian giant has jailed the most number of journalists in 2018.

A recent report by a US-based committee on Wednesday has once again exposed the repressive state of media in China as the Asian giant has jailed the most number of journalists in 2018. In 2019, at least 48 journalists are jailed in China, according to the report by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. The report cites the arrest of Sophia Huang Xueqin, a Chinese freelance journalist after writing about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Turkey stands at the second spot, with the imprisonment of 47 journalists, as per the report which also mentions Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Eritrea, Vietnam, and Iran for their jailing of journalists. The report states that Turkey, which was jailing most journalists in the last three years, has not improved the state of its media, but President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was successfully able to eliminate criticism and independent reporting. It added that the Turkish government has shut down over 100 media organisations and framed terror-related charges against many of their employees, putting several reporters out of work and intimidating others. "Dozens of journalists not currently jailed in Turkey are still facing trial or appeal and could yet be sentenced to prison, while others have been sentenced in absentia and face arrest if they return to the country," the report said. The report adds that authoritarianism, instability and protests in the Middle East have led to the arrest of a large number of journalists, with Saudi Arabia becoming the third-worst jailer alongside Egypt, each imprisoning 26 journalists. So, far, no charges have been framed against 18 journalists jailed in Saudi Arabia and the report expressed concern over "beating, burning and starving political prisoners, including four journalists." Many of the journalists were jailed in Egypt ahead of the anti-corruption protests in September that demanded the resignation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The report mentions that at least 250 journalists were put behind bar around the world. "CPJ believes that journalists should not be imprisoned for doing their jobs," the group said in its findings. (with input from AFP)

China biggest jailer of journalists, Turkey second-worst: Report

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/turkey-and-china-tie-themselves-in-knots-over-syria-and-xinjiang-257735">Turkey</a>&nbsp;said on Wednesday it would&nbsp;retaliate&nbsp;against&nbsp;any&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;over its purchase of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/russia-turkey-may-sign-new-contract-on-s-400-systems-in-2020-ria-264578">Russian defence systems</a>, adding that with Britain it had agreed to speed up a joint fighter jet programme to meet Turkish defence needs.

US&nbsp;lawmakers will&nbsp;vote and likely pass a defence bill later on Wednesday that calls for&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;against&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;over Ankara's decision to procure the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/first-part-of-russian-s-400-missile-defence-system-delivered-turkey-235249">S-400</a> defences.

Turkey&nbsp;and the United States,<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/nato-meeting-solidarity-reinforced-despite-uncomfortable-time-for-alliance-to-be-in-the-spotlight-266584"> NATO</a> allies, have been at odds over the purchase.

Washington&nbsp;says&nbsp;the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and cannot be integrated into NATO defences. In response, it has suspended&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-still-committed-to-purchasing-us-f-35-fighters-foreign-minister-246735">F-35</a> jet programme, where it was a manufacturer and buyer, and threatened&nbsp;sanctions.

In an interview with Turkish broadcaster A Haber, Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-threatens-new-syria-operations-directs-us-russia-to-fulfill-agreement-263046">Mevlut Cavusoglu</a> said&nbsp;any&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions&nbsp;would harm&nbsp;US-Turkish ties and repeated a threat of retaliation.

"US&nbsp;lawmakers must understand they will get nowhere with impositions. If the United States approaches us positively, we will also react positively. But, if they take negative towards us, then we will&nbsp;retaliate&nbsp;these," Cavusoglu said.

Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues&nbsp;in recent years.&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;has been engaged with the&nbsp;US&nbsp;support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Cavusoglu called the "financing of terrorism" on Wednesday.

He added that&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;was open to alternatives to buying the F-35 jets, including from Russia. He said President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-biggest-jailer-of-journalists-turkey-second-worst-report-267594">Tayyip Erdogan</a> and British Prime Minister<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-elections-2019-boris-johnson-going-all-out-to-impress-voters-267573"> Boris Johnson </a>had discussed speeding up work on the TF-X joint fighter jet project to meet&nbsp;Turkey's defence needs.

"We bought the S-400s because the most suitable offer for air defence systems came from Russia. Until we produce it ourselves, the alternative to the F-35 could be the Russian market, but we are open to other alternatives too," Cavusoglu said.

Turkey&nbsp;and Britain agreed a 100 million pound ($133 million) deal in 2017 to develop Turkish fighter jets, and&nbsp;Turkey's Kale Group said it was setting up a joint venture with Rolls-Royce to work on the project. In March Rolls-Royce said it had scaled back efforts to join the programme.

A Turkish source said the disagreement with Rolls-Royce stemmed from licensing issues, which are "critical and indispensable" for&nbsp;Turkey. But the source said talks had been revived and added&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;expected the project to advance after a solution was reached.

Turkey said on Wednesday it would retaliate against any US sanctions over its purchase of Russian defence systems, adding that with Britain it had agreed to speed up a joint fighter jet programme to meet Turkish defence needs.

Turkey said on Wednesday it would retaliate against any US sanctions over its purchase of Russian defence systems, adding that with Britain it had agreed to speed up a joint fighter jet programme to meet Turkish defence needs. US lawmakers will vote and likely pass a defence bill later on Wednesday that calls for sanctions against Turkey over Ankara's decision to procure the S-400 defences. Turkey and the United States, NATO allies, have been at odds over the purchase. Washington says the S-400s pose a threat to its F-35 fighter jets and cannot be integrated into NATO defences. In response, it has suspended Turkey from the F-35 jet programme, where it was a manufacturer and buyer, and threatened sanctions. In an interview with Turkish broadcaster A Haber, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said any US sanctions would harm US-Turkish ties and repeated a threat of retaliation. "US lawmakers must understand they will get nowhere with impositions. If the United States approaches us positively, we will also react positively. But, if they take negative towards us, then we will retaliate these," Cavusoglu said. Ties between Ankara and Washington have been strained over a host of issues in recent years. Turkey has been engaged with the US support for the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which Cavusoglu called the "financing of terrorism" on Wednesday. He added that Turkey was open to alternatives to buying the F-35 jets, including from Russia. He said President Tayyip Erdogan and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had discussed speeding up work on the TF-X joint fighter jet project to meet Turkey's defence needs. "We bought the S-400s because the most suitable offer for air defence systems came from Russia. Until we produce it ourselves, the alternative to the F-35 could be the Russian market, but we are open to other alternatives too," Cavusoglu said. Turkey and Britain agreed a 100 million pound ($133 million) deal in 2017 to develop Turkish fighter jets, and Turkey's Kale Group said it was setting up a joint venture with Rolls-Royce to work on the project. In March Rolls-Royce said it had scaled back efforts to join the programme. A Turkish source said the disagreement with Rolls-Royce stemmed from licensing issues, which are "critical and indispensable" for Turkey. But the source said talks had been revived and added Turkey expected the project to advance after a solution was reached.

Turkey says will retaliate against any sanctions ahead of US vote

US&nbsp;lawmakers&nbsp;announced an agreement on Monday on a $738-billion&nbsp;bill&nbsp;setting policy for the Department of&nbsp;Defence, including new measures for competing with Russia and&nbsp;China, family leave for federal workers and the creation of President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/global-stocks-rattled-after-donald-trump-says-no-deadline-on-us-china-trade-deal-266025">Donald Trump</a>'s long-desired Space Force.

It also calls for sanctions on&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;over its purchase of a Russian missile&nbsp;defence&nbsp;system, and tough response to North Korea's efforts to develop nuclear weapons.

The&nbsp;US&nbsp;House of Representatives and Senate Armed Services Committees agreed on a compromise version of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-congress-paves-way-for-waivers-from-caatsa-sanctions-for-india-156385">National&nbsp;Defense&nbsp;Authorization Act</a>, or NDAA, after months of negotiations. It is expected to pass before Congress leaves Washington later this month for the year-end holiday break.

The legislation includes $658.4&nbsp;billion for the Department of&nbsp;Defense&nbsp;and Department of Energy national security programs, $71.5&nbsp;billion to pay for ongoing foreign wars, known as "Overseas Contingency Operations" funding, and $5.3&nbsp;billion in emergency funding for repairs of damage from extreme weather and natural disasters.

There were concerns earlier this year that the NDAA might fail for the first time in 58 years over steep divides between the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and Republican-controlled Senate over Trump's policies.

Because it is one of the few pieces of major legislation Congress passes every year, the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/caatsa-sanctions-waiver-intended-to-wean-countries-off-of-russian-equipment-white-house-169717"> NDAA</a> becomes a vehicle for a range of policy measures as well as setting everything from military pay levels to which ships or aircraft will be modernized, purchased or discontinued.

It includes a 3.1 per cent&nbsp;pay hike for the troops, the largest in a decade and, for the first time, 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers, something Democrats strongly sought.

Among other things, the proposed fiscal 2020 NDAA imposes sanctions related to Russia's Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines and bars military-to-military cooperation with Russia.

Russia is building the pipelines to bolster supply to Europe while bypassing Ukraine, and members of Congress have been pushing the Trump administration to do more to stop the projects as they near completion.

The NDAA also prohibits the transfer of F-35 stealth fighter jets, which Lockheed Martin Corp is developing, to&nbsp;Turkey. It expresses a sense of Congress that&nbsp;Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile&nbsp;defence&nbsp;system, which Washington says it not compatible with NATO&nbsp;defences and threatens the F-35, constitutes a significant transaction under&nbsp;US&nbsp;sanctions law.

The&nbsp;bill&nbsp;says Trump should implement sanctions on&nbsp;Turkey&nbsp;over the S-400 purchase, something&nbsp;lawmakers&nbsp;have been demanding.

The NDAA also reauthorizes $300 million of funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, to include lethal defensive items as well as new authorities for coastal&nbsp;defence&nbsp;cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles.

Military aid to Ukraine has been at the centre of the impeachment enquiry into Trump after his administration held up security assistance for Kiev last summer even as the country&nbsp;dealt with challenges from Russia.

Fulfilling one of Trump's most high-profile requests, the&nbsp;bill&nbsp;establishes the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/time-has-come-for-us-space-force-6th-military-branch-pence-158147">US&nbsp;Space Force</a> as the sixth Armed Service of the United States, under the Air Force.

The legislation also contains a series of provisions intended to address potential threats from&nbsp;China, including requiring reports on&nbsp;China's overseas investments and its military relations with Russia.

It bars the use of federal funds to buy rail cars and buses from&nbsp;China, and it says Congress "unequivocally supports" residents of Hong Kong as they defend their rights and seek to preserve their autonomy with&nbsp;China. It also supports improving Taiwan's&nbsp;defence&nbsp;capabilities.

The NDAA calls for a sweeping approach to North Korea's nuclear weapons development, as well as the threat it poses to&nbsp;US&nbsp;forces on the Korean peninsula and allies in the region.

It puts&nbsp;mandatory sanctions on North Korean imports and exports of coal and other minerals and textiles, as well as some petroleum products and crude oil, and it puts&nbsp;additional sanctions on banks that&nbsp;deal&nbsp;with North Korea.

The&nbsp;bill&nbsp;also bars the Pentagon from reducing the number of troops deployed to South Korea below 28,500 unless the Secretary of&nbsp;Defence&nbsp;certifies that it is in the&nbsp;US&nbsp;national security interest to do so.

US lawmakers announced an agreement on Monday on a $738-billion bill setting policy for the Department of Defence, including new measures for competing with Russia and China, family leave for federal workers and the creation of President Donald Trump's long-desired Space Force.

US lawmakers announced an agreement on Monday on a $738-billion bill setting policy for the Department of Defence, including new measures for competing with Russia and China, family leave for federal workers and the creation of President Donald Trump's long-desired Space Force. It also calls for sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of a Russian missile defence system, and tough response to North Korea's efforts to develop nuclear weapons. The US House of Representatives and Senate Armed Services Committees agreed on a compromise version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, after months of negotiations. It is expected to pass before Congress leaves Washington later this month for the year-end holiday break. The legislation includes $658.4 billion for the Department of Defense and Department of Energy national security programs, $71.5 billion to pay for ongoing foreign wars, known as "Overseas Contingency Operations" funding, and $5.3 billion in emergency funding for repairs of damage from extreme weather and natural disasters. There were concerns earlier this year that the NDAA might fail for the first time in 58 years over steep divides between the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and Republican-controlled Senate over Trump's policies. Because it is one of the few pieces of major legislation Congress passes every year, the NDAA becomes a vehicle for a range of policy measures as well as setting everything from military pay levels to which ships or aircraft will be modernized, purchased or discontinued. It includes a 3.1 per cent pay hike for the troops, the largest in a decade and, for the first time, 12 weeks of paid parental leave for federal workers, something Democrats strongly sought. Among other things, the proposed fiscal 2020 NDAA imposes sanctions related to Russia's Nord Stream 2 and TurkStream pipelines and bars military-to-military cooperation with Russia. Russia is building the pipelines to bolster supply to Europe while bypassing Ukraine, and members of Congress have been pushing the Trump administration to do more to stop the projects as they near completion. The NDAA also prohibits the transfer of F-35 stealth fighter jets, which Lockheed Martin Corp is developing, to Turkey. It expresses a sense of Congress that Turkey's acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system, which Washington says it not compatible with NATO defences and threatens the F-35, constitutes a significant transaction under US sanctions law. The bill says Trump should implement sanctions on Turkey over the S-400 purchase, something lawmakers have been demanding. The NDAA also reauthorizes $300 million of funding for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, to include lethal defensive items as well as new authorities for coastal defence cruise missiles and anti-ship missiles. Military aid to Ukraine has been at the centre of the impeachment enquiry into Trump after his administration held up security assistance for Kiev last summer even as the country dealt with challenges from Russia. Fulfilling one of Trump's most high-profile requests, the bill establishes the US Space Force as the sixth Armed Service of the United States, under the Air Force. The legislation also contains a series of provisions intended to address potential threats from China, including requiring reports on China's overseas investments and its military relations with Russia. It bars the use of federal funds to buy rail cars and buses from China, and it says Congress "unequivocally supports" residents of Hong Kong as they defend their rights and seek to preserve their autonomy with China. It also supports improving Taiwan's defence capabilities. The NDAA calls for a sweeping approach to North Korea's nuclear weapons development, as well as the threat it poses to US forces on the Korean peninsula and allies in the region. It puts mandatory sanctions on North Korean imports and exports of coal and other minerals and textiles, as well as some petroleum products and crude oil, and it puts additional sanctions on banks that deal with North Korea. The bill also bars the Pentagon from reducing the number of troops deployed to South Korea below 28,500 unless the Secretary of Defence certifies that it is in the US national security interest to do so.

US lawmakers reach deal on massive defence bill, eye Russia, Turkey, China

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday he was <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-reach-deal-on-massive-defense-bill-eye-russia-turkey-china-267336">ready to send troops</a> to Libya if requested by the internationally recognised government in Tripoli.&nbsp;

"On the issue of sending soldiers... If Libya makes such a request from us, we can send our personnel there, especially after striking the military security agreement," he said in a televised appearance.&nbsp;

Turkey signed a military agreement last month with Libya's Government of National Accord, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.&nbsp;

It came after media reports that Russia had sent 200 mercenaries to support Libya's military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is seeking to unseat the Tripoli-based government.&nbsp;

Russia has denied the reports, but Erdogan said: "There is a security company from Russia (in Libya) called Wagner. This company sent its security staff there."

The Wagner Group is a shadowy private security firm and thousands of its security contractors are believed to be in foreign conflicts from Syria to Ukraine to the Central African Republic.&nbsp;

At the same time as the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-turkey-working-on-new-s-400-missile-contract-sources-266609">military deal</a>, Turkey also signed a controversial maritime jurisdiction agreement with Sarraj, giving sweeping rights for Turkey to explore for oil in the Mediterranean.&nbsp;

"With the new line drawn (by the maritime agreement), we will take steps to protect the interests of Libya, Turkey and the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). This is in line with international law," he said. &nbsp;

The deal has been staunchly opposed by Greece, Cyprus and their European partners which says it violates the islands' maritime rights.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday he was ready to send troops to Libya if requested by the internationally recognised government in Tripoli. "On the issue of sending soldiers.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday he was ready to send troops to Libya if requested by the internationally recognised government in Tripoli. "On the issue of sending soldiers... If Libya makes such a request from us, we can send our personnel there, especially after striking the military security agreement," he said in a televised appearance. Turkey signed a military agreement last month with Libya's Government of National Accord, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. It came after media reports that Russia had sent 200 mercenaries to support Libya's military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is seeking to unseat the Tripoli-based government. Russia has denied the reports, but Erdogan said: "There is a security company from Russia (in Libya) called Wagner. This company sent its security staff there." The Wagner Group is a shadowy private security firm and thousands of its security contractors are believed to be in foreign conflicts from Syria to Ukraine to the Central African Republic. At the same time as the military deal, Turkey also signed a controversial maritime jurisdiction agreement with Sarraj, giving sweeping rights for Turkey to explore for oil in the Mediterranean. "With the new line drawn (by the maritime agreement), we will take steps to protect the interests of Libya, Turkey and the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). This is in line with international law," he said. The deal has been staunchly opposed by Greece, Cyprus and their European partners which says it violates the islands' maritime rights.

Ready to send troops to back Libya unity government: Turkey

Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-erdogan-unannounced-at-nato-summit-266252">Tayyip Erdogan</a> accused the Nobel academy on Tuesday of rewarding human rights violations by awarding the prize for literature to Peter Handke, who has been criticised for backing late Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Turkey has said it is joining Albania and Kosovo in boycotting the Nobel awards ceremony to protest the academy's choice of Austrian Handke for the prize.

"Giving the Nobel Literature Prize to a racist, who denies the genocide in Bosnia and defends war criminals, on December 10, Human Rights Day, will have no meaning other than the rewarding of human rights violations," Erdogan said.

The academy's choice has been widely criticised.

Handke, now 77, expressed support for Milosevic and spoke at the funeral of the former Serbian president in 2006 after he died in detention during his trial at the UN&nbsp;war crimes tribunal.

Milosevic was charged with war crimes in connection with atrocities and ethnic cleansing committed by Serb forces in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo during the 1990s wars triggered by the disintegration of federal Yugoslavia.

On Friday, Handke dismissed questions about his support for Milosevic. On Tuesday, he will formally be handed the 9 million crown ($935,000) award and later attend the traditional Nobel banquet.

Handke is the author of books such as "The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick" and "Slow Homecoming". <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-to-summon-turkish-envoy-over-erdogans-insults-265301">He also co-wrote the script</a> of the critically acclaimed 1987 film "Wings of Desire".

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the Nobel academy on Tuesday of rewarding human rights violations by awarding the prize for literature to Peter Handke, who has been criticised for backing late Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan accused the Nobel academy on Tuesday of rewarding human rights violations by awarding the prize for literature to Peter Handke, who has been criticised for backing late Serbian leader Slobodan Milosevic. Turkey has said it is joining Albania and Kosovo in boycotting the Nobel awards ceremony to protest the academy's choice of Austrian Handke for the prize. "Giving the Nobel Literature Prize to a racist, who denies the genocide in Bosnia and defends war criminals, on December 10, Human Rights Day, will have no meaning other than the rewarding of human rights violations," Erdogan said. The academy's choice has been widely criticised. Handke, now 77, expressed support for Milosevic and spoke at the funeral of the former Serbian president in 2006 after he died in detention during his trial at the UN war crimes tribunal. Milosevic was charged with war crimes in connection with atrocities and ethnic cleansing committed by Serb forces in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo during the 1990s wars triggered by the disintegration of federal Yugoslavia. On Friday, Handke dismissed questions about his support for Milosevic. On Tuesday, he will formally be handed the 9 million crown ($935,000) award and later attend the traditional Nobel banquet. Handke is the author of books such as "The Goalie's Anxiety at the Penalty Kick" and "Slow Homecoming". He also co-wrote the script of the critically acclaimed 1987 film "Wings of Desire".

Nobel academy rewarding human rights violations: Turkey's Erdogan

Pakistan Foreign Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-foreign-minister-meets-newly-elected-sri-lankan-president-in-colombo-visit-265764">Shah Mahmood Qureshi</a> on Monday boycotted the speech of Minister of State VK Singh at the Heart of Asia Conference here.

As soon as the Indian delegate started speaking at the conference, which aims to promote peace in Afghanistan, Qureshi left his seat and walked out.

The Pakistan Foreign Minister boycotted Singh`s speech as a mark of protest over India`s move to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution that accorded special status to Kashmir.

In September, Qureshi had similarly boycotted Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar`s speech at a SAARC ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-general-assembly-2019-what-to-expect-at-the-74th-session-this-week-251385">UN General Assembly in New York</a>.

The meeting saw high-voltage drama with Qureshi first holding up the meeting and then refusing to attend the conference until Jaishankar finished his statement.

Responding to Pakistan`s disruption of the meeting, Jaishankar left after addressing the gathering which included leaders and representatives from the regional organisation.It was only after Jaishankar left that Qureshi made an entrance at least half an hour after the meeting had commenced.

Meanwhile, Monday`s conference themed `Peace, Partnership, Prosperity` was innagurated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani at the Dolmabahce Palace, located on the Bosphorous Strait.

In his speech, Erdogan called on the international community to boost investments in Afghanistan during "sensitive" times the country has been going through.

"Afghanistan has been going through a sensitive period. As international community, we need to boost the investments we have been making for Afghanistan for the last 18 years," he added.

The initiative "aims to enhance regional cooperation towards Afghanistan," the Turkish foreign ministry said.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process - a regional initiative of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taliban-wants-to-make-a-deal-trump-in-afghanistan-265151">Afghanistan</a> and Turkey launched in 2011 - has two chairs with Afghanistan as the permanent chair, and a co-chair from among the member states that shifts each year.

"The process aims to promote regional security, economic and political cooperation centred on Afghanistan through dialogue and confidence-building measures," according to the organisation`s website.

At the ongoing conference, Turkey will hand over its co-chairmanship, which it assumed in 2017 at the 7th Ministerial Conference in Baku, to Tajikistan.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday boycotted the speech of Minister of State VK Singh at the Heart of Asia Conference here. As soon as the Indian delegate started speaking at the conference, which aims to promote peace in Afghanistan, Qureshi left his seat and walked out.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Monday boycotted the speech of Minister of State VK Singh at the Heart of Asia Conference here. As soon as the Indian delegate started speaking at the conference, which aims to promote peace in Afghanistan, Qureshi left his seat and walked out. The Pakistan Foreign Minister boycotted Singh`s speech as a mark of protest over India`s move to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution that accorded special status to Kashmir. In September, Qureshi had similarly boycotted Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar`s speech at a SAARC ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. The meeting saw high-voltage drama with Qureshi first holding up the meeting and then refusing to attend the conference until Jaishankar finished his statement. Responding to Pakistan`s disruption of the meeting, Jaishankar left after addressing the gathering which included leaders and representatives from the regional organisation.It was only after Jaishankar left that Qureshi made an entrance at least half an hour after the meeting had commenced. Meanwhile, Monday`s conference themed `Peace, Partnership, Prosperity` was innagurated by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Afghan counterpart Ashraf Ghani at the Dolmabahce Palace, located on the Bosphorous Strait. In his speech, Erdogan called on the international community to boost investments in Afghanistan during "sensitive" times the country has been going through. "Afghanistan has been going through a sensitive period. As international community, we need to boost the investments we have been making for Afghanistan for the last 18 years," he added. The initiative "aims to enhance regional cooperation towards Afghanistan," the Turkish foreign ministry said. The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process - a regional initiative of Afghanistan and Turkey launched in 2011 - has two chairs with Afghanistan as the permanent chair, and a co-chair from among the member states that shifts each year. "The process aims to promote regional security, economic and political cooperation centred on Afghanistan through dialogue and confidence-building measures," according to the organisation`s website. At the ongoing conference, Turkey will hand over its co-chairmanship, which it assumed in 2017 at the 7th Ministerial Conference in Baku, to Tajikistan.

Pakistan Finance Minister Qureshi boycotts V K Singh's speech at Istanbul conference

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/turkey-and-china-tie-themselves-in-knots-over-syria-and-xinjiang-257735">Turkey</a> has sent 11 French relatives of suspected "terrorist fighters" back home, the Turkish interior ministry said Monday, the latest in the country's renewed push to deport foreign jihadist insurgents.

"Eleven French citizens have been deported to their home country," it said in a statement.&nbsp;

A judicial source in France confirmed that four women and their seven children had arrived in France early on Monday.

Under a 2014 accord between France and Turkey, Paris agreed to take back jihadists trying to return home from Syria via Turkey and incarcerate them at home.

Two of the women returned Monday were already targeted by arrest warrants and will soon face a judge, while the other two were sought by police and have been placed in custody, the French source said.

Another source close to the case said the women had escaped from a camp controlled by Kurdish forces in Syria before being captured by Turkish police.

Ankara has sharply criticised Western countries for refusing to take back citizens who left home to join the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/west-asia/islamic-state-claims-responsibility-for-sri-lanka-bombings-212899">Islamic State group</a> (IS) in Syria and Iraq.

It says it has around 1,200 foreign IS members in custody.&nbsp;

The bulk of the foreign jihadists are being held in Syria itself, with thousands languishing in prisons and camps across the country's northeast.

Turkey's interior ministry said last week that 59 "foreign terrorists" have been deported to their home countries since November 11, when it began a new push to expel them.&nbsp;

Of them, 26 were sent back to the United States and Europe.

"Turkey is no one's open-air prison or hotel," said ministry spokesman Ismail Catakli, adding that&nbsp;Turkish authorities would deport all of the suspects.

Turkey has sent 11 French relatives of suspected "terrorist fighters" back home, the Turkish interior ministry said Monday, the latest in the country's renewed push to deport foreign jihadist insurgents.

Turkey has sent 11 French relatives of suspected "terrorist fighters" back home, the Turkish interior ministry said Monday, the latest in the country's renewed push to deport foreign jihadist insurgents. "Eleven French citizens have been deported to their home country," it said in a statement. A judicial source in France confirmed that four women and their seven children had arrived in France early on Monday. Under a 2014 accord between France and Turkey, Paris agreed to take back jihadists trying to return home from Syria via Turkey and incarcerate them at home. Two of the women returned Monday were already targeted by arrest warrants and will soon face a judge, while the other two were sought by police and have been placed in custody, the French source said. Another source close to the case said the women had escaped from a camp controlled by Kurdish forces in Syria before being captured by Turkish police. Ankara has sharply criticised Western countries for refusing to take back citizens who left home to join the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria and Iraq. It says it has around 1,200 foreign IS members in custody. The bulk of the foreign jihadists are being held in Syria itself, with thousands languishing in prisons and camps across the country's northeast. Turkey's interior ministry said last week that 59 "foreign terrorists" have been deported to their home countries since November 11, when it began a new push to expel them. Of them, 26 were sent back to the United States and Europe. "Turkey is no one's open-air prison or hotel," said ministry spokesman Ismail Catakli, adding that Turkish authorities would deport all of the suspects.

Turkey deports 11 French relatives of 'terrorist' suspects

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/russia-turkey-may-sign-new-contract-on-s-400-systems-in-2020-ria-264578">Russia and Turkey</a> are working on a contract for the delivery of a new batch of Russian S-400 missile systems, the Interfax news agency cited a senior official at a Russian military cooperation agency as saying on Friday.

Such a deal would be likely to further strain <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-he-told-trump-turkey-will-not-give-up-russian-s-400s-263168">Ankara's relations</a> with Washington which has suspended Turkey from the US&nbsp;F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, in which it was a producer and buyer, to penalise it for buying S-400 batteries this year.

"We're gradually working on this question. Most importantly, both sides are intent on continuing cooperation in this sphere," the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation was quoted as saying.

The official, Dmitry Shugaev, said he thought there was a "fairly high likelihood" Turkey and Russia would sign a contract for the delivery of an additional batch of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-bought-s-400s-from-russia-to-use-them-not-to-put-them-aside-262580">S-400s</a> next year.

The head of Russia's state arms exporter told RIA news agency on November&nbsp;26 that Moscow and Ankara were actively discussing Ankara taking up an option in its original missile contract for it to receive more S-400 systems.

Russia and Turkey are working on a contract for the delivery of a new batch of Russian S-400 missile systems, the Interfax news agency cited a senior official at a Russian military cooperation agency as saying on Friday.

Russia and Turkey are working on a contract for the delivery of a new batch of Russian S-400 missile systems, the Interfax news agency cited a senior official at a Russian military cooperation agency as saying on Friday. Such a deal would be likely to further strain Ankara's relations with Washington which has suspended Turkey from the US F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, in which it was a producer and buyer, to penalise it for buying S-400 batteries this year. "We're gradually working on this question. Most importantly, both sides are intent on continuing cooperation in this sphere," the head of Russia's Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation was quoted as saying. The official, Dmitry Shugaev, said he thought there was a "fairly high likelihood" Turkey and Russia would sign a contract for the delivery of an additional batch of S-400s next year. The head of Russia's state arms exporter told RIA news agency on November 26 that Moscow and Ankara were actively discussing Ankara taking up an option in its original missile contract for it to receive more S-400 systems.

Russia, Turkey working on new S-400 missile contract: Sources

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../nato-and-the-eu-a-short-history-of-an-uneasy- relationship-265984">Cyprus</a> has petitioned the International Court of Justice at The&nbsp;Hague&nbsp;to safeguard its offshore mineral rights, its president said on Thursday, as neighbour Turkey disputes its claims.

The two countries are at loggerheads over offshore maritime zones around the island, where Cyprus has granted licences to multinational companies for oil and gas research.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../as-turkey-raises-pitch-india-reaffirms-support- for-cyprus-territorial-integrity-252329">Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades</a> said Cyprus is committed to protecting its sovereign rights with every legal means possible.

"Our recourse to The&nbsp;Hague&nbsp;has that very purpose," he told journalists in Nicosia.

Turkey, which does not have diplomatic relations with Cyprus's internationally recognised government, says Nicosia either has no jurisdiction to offer licences or that some zones encroach on the Turkish continental shelf. It has sent its own drill ships to the island.

Anastasiades said Cyprus had attempted to deliver a notice of its intentions to Turkey's embassy in Athens but it was not accepted. "So it was sent another way," he said. "There is proof that it was received, so that gives (Cyprus) the right to recourse."

Cyprus's Sigma TV, which first reported the story, said the notice was sent by fax.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../nato-and-the-eu-a-short-history-of-an-uneasy- relationship-265984">EU</a> member Cyprus was divided in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup. Turkey supports a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in north Cyprus.

Cyprus has petitioned the International Court of Justice at The Hague to safeguard its offshore mineral rights, its president said on Thursday, as neighbour Turkey disputes its claims.

Cyprus has petitioned the International Court of Justice at The Hague to safeguard its offshore mineral rights, its president said on Thursday, as neighbour Turkey disputes its claims. The two countries are at loggerheads over offshore maritime zones around the island, where Cyprus has granted licences to multinational companies for oil and gas research. Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades said Cyprus is committed to protecting its sovereign rights with every legal means possible. "Our recourse to The Hague has that very purpose," he told journalists in Nicosia. Turkey, which does not have diplomatic relations with Cyprus's internationally recognised government, says Nicosia either has no jurisdiction to offer licences or that some zones encroach on the Turkish continental shelf. It has sent its own drill ships to the island. Anastasiades said Cyprus had attempted to deliver a notice of its intentions to Turkey's embassy in Athens but it was not accepted. "So it was sent another way," he said. "There is proof that it was received, so that gives (Cyprus) the right to recourse." Cyprus's Sigma TV, which first reported the story, said the notice was sent by fax. EU member Cyprus was divided in a Turkish invasion in 1974 after a brief Greek-inspired coup. Turkey supports a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in north Cyprus.

Cyprus petitions The Hague to safeguard offshore rights

Eight children were among nine people killed Monday in a Turkish artillery attack that hit near a school in a northern Syrian town, a Britain-based war monitor said.

Those killed in the attack on Kurdish-held Tal Rifaat were all displaced from the Afrin region which was captured last year by Turkish troops and their Syrian proxies, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Eight children were among nine people killed Monday in a Turkish artillery attack that hit near a school in a northern Syrian town, a Britain-based war monitor said.

Eight children were among nine people killed Monday in a Turkish artillery attack that hit near a school in a northern Syrian town, a Britain-based war monitor said. Those killed in the attack on Kurdish-held Tal Rifaat were all displaced from the Afrin region which was captured last year by Turkish troops and their Syrian proxies, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Eight children among nine killed in Turkish shelling on north Syria: Monitor

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../russia-turkey-may-sign-new-contract-on-s-400- systems-in-2020-ria-264578">Turkey</a> and Libya's internationally recognised government have signed an agreement on maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea as well as a deal on expanded security and military cooperation, the Turkish government said on Thursday.

There were no immediate details on the maritime accord, which could further complicate disputes over energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean where Turkish drilling has angered Greek Cypriots, Athens and the<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../fatf-european-union-offers-technical-assistance- to-pakistan-262766"> European Union</a>.

EU foreign ministers agreed economic sanctions against Turkey two weeks ago to punish it for drilling off the coast of Cyprus in violation of a maritime economic zone established off the divided island.

The dispute pits Turkey against several eastern Mediterranean states that have agreed maritime and economic zones with Greece and Cyprus, leaving Ankara searching for allies in the region.

The new agreements were signed at a meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Fayez al-Serraj, the head of the Tripoli-based government which Ankara is backing against a rival military force based in eastern Libya.

"The (security) agreement establishes training and education, structures the legal framework, and strengthens the ties between our militaries," the Turkish presidency's communications director Fahrettin Altun said in a tweet.

"We will also continue advocating for a political solution to build a democratic, stable and prosperous Libya," he said.

Altun's office said in a statement that the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the "delimitation of maritime jurisdictions", which aims to protect the two countries' rights under international law.

Libya has been divided since 2014 into rival military and political camps based in the capital Tripoli and the east. Serraj's government is in conflict with forces led by Khalifa Haftar based in eastern Libya.

Haftar controls most of Libya's oil fields and facilities but oil revenues are controlled by the central bank in Tripoli. The competing military alliances are also battling on the outskirts of the capital.

In June, Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) said they had cut all ties with Turkey and that all Turkish commercial flights or ship trying to access Libya would be treated as hostile.

Diplomats say Ankara has supplied drones and trucks to Serraj, while the LNA received support from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Turkey and Libya's internationally recognised government have signed an agreement on maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea as well as a deal on expanded security and military cooperation, the Turkish government said on Thursday.

Turkey and Libya's internationally recognised government have signed an agreement on maritime boundaries in the Mediterranean Sea as well as a deal on expanded security and military cooperation, the Turkish government said on Thursday. There were no immediate details on the maritime accord, which could further complicate disputes over energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean where Turkish drilling has angered Greek Cypriots, Athens and the European Union. EU foreign ministers agreed economic sanctions against Turkey two weeks ago to punish it for drilling off the coast of Cyprus in violation of a maritime economic zone established off the divided island. The dispute pits Turkey against several eastern Mediterranean states that have agreed maritime and economic zones with Greece and Cyprus, leaving Ankara searching for allies in the region. The new agreements were signed at a meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Fayez al-Serraj, the head of the Tripoli-based government which Ankara is backing against a rival military force based in eastern Libya. "The (security) agreement establishes training and education, structures the legal framework, and strengthens the ties between our militaries," the Turkish presidency's communications director Fahrettin Altun said in a tweet. "We will also continue advocating for a political solution to build a democratic, stable and prosperous Libya," he said. Altun's office said in a statement that the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on the "delimitation of maritime jurisdictions", which aims to protect the two countries' rights under international law. Libya has been divided since 2014 into rival military and political camps based in the capital Tripoli and the east. Serraj's government is in conflict with forces led by Khalifa Haftar based in eastern Libya. Haftar controls most of Libya's oil fields and facilities but oil revenues are controlled by the central bank in Tripoli. The competing military alliances are also battling on the outskirts of the capital. In June, Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA) said they had cut all ties with Turkey and that all Turkish commercial flights or ship trying to access Libya would be treated as hostile. Diplomats say Ankara has supplied drones and trucks to Serraj, while the LNA received support from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

Turkey and Libya sign deal on maritime zones in the Mediterranean

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/car-bomb-kills-9-in-northern-syria-town-monitor-264094">car bomb</a> killed at least 17 people and wounded 20 others in the Turkish-controlled region of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-threatens-new-syria-operations-directs-us-russia-to-fulfill-agreement-263046">northern Syria </a>on Tuesday, Turkey's defence ministry said.

The attack took place in the Tal Halaf village west of the city of Ras al-Ayn, which is now controlled by the Turkish military after its offensive in October, the ministry said on its official Twitter account.

Several vehicles were reduced to charred shells by the blast at a village market, images from the scene showed.

It blamed the attack on the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara accuses of being the Syrian offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984.

"The PKK/YPG terror group continues its car bombings aimed at civilians. The child murderers this time detonated a car bomb in Tal Halaf village west of Ras al-Ayn, killing 17 people and wounding more than 20," the defence ministry said on Twitter.

Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the attack but gave a lower toll, saying 11 people -- including at least three civilians -- had been killed.

But it said the death toll is likely to climb due to the severity of some of the injuries suffered.

Turkish forces and their proxies -- former Syrian rebels hired as a ground force by Ankara -- launched an offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria on October 9.

The military action came after US President Donald Trump ordered his troops to withdraw in a move that observers condemned as a betrayal of their Kurdish partners in the war against the Islamic State group in Syria.

In its operation, Turkey secured a strip of land in northern Syria after signing separate deals with the US and Russia.&nbsp;

Ankara says it wants to establish a "safe zone" in which to resettle some of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts on its soil.

A car bomb killed at least 17 people and wounded 20 others in the Turkish-controlled region of northern Syria on Tuesday, Turkey's defence ministry said. The attack took place in the Tal Halaf village west of the city of Ras al-Ayn, which is now controlled by the Turkish military after its offensive in October, the ministry said on its official Twitter account.

A car bomb killed at least 17 people and wounded 20 others in the Turkish-controlled region of northern Syria on Tuesday, Turkey's defence ministry said. The attack took place in the Tal Halaf village west of the city of Ras al-Ayn, which is now controlled by the Turkish military after its offensive in October, the ministry said on its official Twitter account. Several vehicles were reduced to charred shells by the blast at a village market, images from the scene showed. It blamed the attack on the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara accuses of being the Syrian offshoot of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) that has waged an insurgency against Turkey since 1984. "The PKK/YPG terror group continues its car bombings aimed at civilians. The child murderers this time detonated a car bomb in Tal Halaf village west of Ras al-Ayn, killing 17 people and wounding more than 20," the defence ministry said on Twitter. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the attack but gave a lower toll, saying 11 people -- including at least three civilians -- had been killed. But it said the death toll is likely to climb due to the severity of some of the injuries suffered. Turkish forces and their proxies -- former Syrian rebels hired as a ground force by Ankara -- launched an offensive against Kurdish forces in Syria on October 9. The military action came after US President Donald Trump ordered his troops to withdraw in a move that observers condemned as a betrayal of their Kurdish partners in the war against the Islamic State group in Syria. In its operation, Turkey secured a strip of land in northern Syria after signing separate deals with the US and Russia. Ankara says it wants to establish a "safe zone" in which to resettle some of the 3.6 million Syrian refugees it hosts on its soil.

17 killed by car bomb in Turkey-controlled region of Syria: Ankara

Turkey plans to have its local-made fighter jet ready for flight in the next five to six years, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-he-told-trump-turkey-will-not-give-up-russian-s-400s-263168">Tayyip Erdogan</a> said on Tuesday, amid an ongoing dispute with the United States over the purchase of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-may-suspend-training-of-turkish-pilots-for-f-35-jets-over-russia-missile-deal-222455">F-35 jets</a>.

Erdogan also said Turkey would invest in a facility that would allow the charging and filling of the detonators produced by <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/lockheed-signs-pact-with-tata-to-make-f-16-planes-in-india-17014">F-16s</a> and armed unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.

Turkey plans to have its local-made fighter jet ready for flight in the next five to six years, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, amid an ongoing dispute with the United States over the purchase of F-35 jets.

Turkey plans to have its local-made fighter jet ready for flight in the next five to six years, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday, amid an ongoing dispute with the United States over the purchase of F-35 jets. Erdogan also said Turkey would invest in a facility that would allow the charging and filling of the detonators produced by F-16s and armed unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.

Tayyip Erdogan says Turkey aims to have its own fighter jet in 5-6 years

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/erdogan-says-he-told-trump-turkey-will-not-give-up-russian-s-400s-263168">Russia hopes to seal a deal to supply Turkey</a> with more S-400 missile systems in the first half of next year, the head of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, said in an interview with RIA news agency published on Tuesday.

Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missiles has already drawn the ire of the United States, which has suspended Ankara from the F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, which it was a buyer and producer of, to punish it.

Washington has also warned of possible US&nbsp;sanctions, saying the missiles are not compatible with NATO defences, but has not yet imposed them.

And a senior US&nbsp;State Department official said last week that Turkey needed to get rid of the S-400s it had already bought to mend fences.

But Mikheev said in an interview with RIA that Moscow and Ankara were actively discussing Ankara taking up an option that was part of the original contract for it to take delivery of more S-400 systems with talks focused on financial questions.

"We hope that in the first half of 2020 we will sign the contract documents," RIA cited Mikheev as saying. "But I want to stress that military-technical cooperation with Turkey is not limited to the supply of the S-400s. We have big plans ahead."

Mikheev said the option, if signed, would cover a new regiment of S-400s and that some of the system's components would be produced in Turkey.

He said it was premature to talk about which components would be made in Turkey however and in what quantities.

Ankara began receiving the first batch of S-400s in July but they are not yet operational, though Turkish media reported on Monday that Turkish F-16 warplanes would fly over the country's capital to test the system.

Mikheev was cited as saying that efforts by the United States to stop other countries buying Russian military hardware had not been as effective as Washington hoped.

"You can see how confident India, China, Turkey and other countries are on the international stage," he said.

"Many are openly outraged by US&nbsp;sanctions policy, which is trying to prevent them from developing their own armed forces and technical military cooperation with Russia," he said.

Russia hopes to seal a deal to supply Turkey with more S-400 missile systems in the first half of next year, the head of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, said in an interview with RIA news agency published on Tuesday.

Russia hopes to seal a deal to supply Turkey with more S-400 missile systems in the first half of next year, the head of Russian state arms exporter Rosoboronexport, Alexander Mikheev, said in an interview with RIA news agency published on Tuesday. Turkey's purchase of the S-400 missiles has already drawn the ire of the United States, which has suspended Ankara from the F-35 stealth fighter jet programme, which it was a buyer and producer of, to punish it. Washington has also warned of possible US sanctions, saying the missiles are not compatible with NATO defences, but has not yet imposed them. And a senior US State Department official said last week that Turkey needed to get rid of the S-400s it had already bought to mend fences. But Mikheev said in an interview with RIA that Moscow and Ankara were actively discussing Ankara taking up an option that was part of the original contract for it to take delivery of more S-400 systems with talks focused on financial questions. "We hope that in the first half of 2020 we will sign the contract documents," RIA cited Mikheev as saying. "But I want to stress that military-technical cooperation with Turkey is not limited to the supply of the S-400s. We have big plans ahead." Mikheev said the option, if signed, would cover a new regiment of S-400s and that some of the system's components would be produced in Turkey. He said it was premature to talk about which components would be made in Turkey however and in what quantities. Ankara began receiving the first batch of S-400s in July but they are not yet operational, though Turkish media reported on Monday that Turkish F-16 warplanes would fly over the country's capital to test the system. Mikheev was cited as saying that efforts by the United States to stop other countries buying Russian military hardware had not been as effective as Washington hoped. "You can see how confident India, China, Turkey and other countries are on the international stage," he said. "Many are openly outraged by US sanctions policy, which is trying to prevent them from developing their own armed forces and technical military cooperation with Russia," he said.

Russia, Turkey may sign new contract on S-400 systems in 2020

A woman, who was believed to have joined Islamic State (IS) group returned back to Germany along with her three children, police said, reports&nbsp;an agency.&nbsp;

Laura is the first adult female member to return to Germany from Syria through official channels. The 30-year-old, who originally hailed from Hesse state arrived at Frankfurt airport on a flight from Erbil in Iraq late on Saturday.&nbsp;

As per a report by German newsweekly Spiegel, Laura was not immediately arrested on arrival but remains the subject of an investigation on suspicion of her membership to a terrorist organisation as well as failure to properly take care of her children.&nbsp;

The woman's passport has been confiscated and the two children are being entrusted to a close relative, the report added.&nbsp;

The weekly magazine also said that the woman travelled to Syria to join IS with her two children and husband, a Somalia-born US citizen.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
The woman had already been linked to Salafist (Islamic fundamentalist) circles in Germany and she had also allegedly posted an online call for aid donation for Syria that in reality went to a fundamentalist organisation. Following her own capture by Kurdish forces and the reported killing of her husband, Laura claims to have turned away from IS ideology.&nbsp;

A US aid organisation helped Laura move to Erbil from from the Al-Hol prison camp in northeastern Syria, the weekly reported.&nbsp;

Kurdish authorities have repeatedly urged Western countries to accept their nationals linked to IS. So far, the countries have majorly avoided the repatriation.&nbsp;

Laura is the first adult who is repatriated to Germany, a country which has allowed a few orphans to return back.&nbsp;

After Turkey invaded northern Syria last month, a lot of people broke out from Kurdish-led jails and camps.&nbsp;

Two weeks earlier, Turkey said that it will repatriate seven captured IS fighters to Germany.

Austria, Belgium, Britain and France have repatriated some orphaned children. A number of women and children were accepted by the United States.&nbsp;

Earlier this month, an Albanian boy taken by his mother to join IS in Syria returned to his home in Italy.&nbsp;

Dozens of women and children were repatriated by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kosovo too.

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

A woman, who was believed to have joined Islamic State (IS) group returned back to Germany along with her three children, police said, reports an agency. Laura is the first adult female member to return to Germany from Syria through official channels.

A woman, who was believed to have joined Islamic State (IS) group returned back to Germany along with her three children, police said, reports an agency. Laura is the first adult female member to return to Germany from Syria through official channels. The 30-year-old, who originally hailed from Hesse state arrived at Frankfurt airport on a flight from Erbil in Iraq late on Saturday. As per a report by German newsweekly Spiegel, Laura was not immediately arrested on arrival but remains the subject of an investigation on suspicion of her membership to a terrorist organisation as well as failure to properly take care of her children. The woman's passport has been confiscated and the two children are being entrusted to a close relative, the report added. The weekly magazine also said that the woman travelled to Syria to join IS with her two children and husband, a Somalia-born US citizen. The woman had already been linked to Salafist (Islamic fundamentalist) circles in Germany and she had also allegedly posted an online call for aid donation for Syria that in reality went to a fundamentalist organisation. Following her own capture by Kurdish forces and the reported killing of her husband, Laura claims to have turned away from IS ideology. A US aid organisation helped Laura move to Erbil from from the Al-Hol prison camp in northeastern Syria, the weekly reported. Kurdish authorities have repeatedly urged Western countries to accept their nationals linked to IS. So far, the countries have majorly avoided the repatriation. Laura is the first adult who is repatriated to Germany, a country which has allowed a few orphans to return back. After Turkey invaded northern Syria last month, a lot of people broke out from Kurdish-led jails and camps. Two weeks earlier, Turkey said that it will repatriate seven captured IS fighters to Germany. Austria, Belgium, Britain and France have repatriated some orphaned children. A number of women and children were accepted by the United States. Earlier this month, an Albanian boy taken by his mother to join IS in Syria returned to his home in Italy. Dozens of women and children were repatriated by Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kosovo too. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Suspected woman linked to Islamic State returned to Germany

A Turkish court overturned higher court verdict and re-convicted journalists from Turkey's oldest newspaper.&nbsp;

The rights groups called the judgment against 12 former scribes from Cumhuriyet "scandalous". The verdict also reaffirms the crackdown on media freedom under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan.&nbsp;

The journalists were convicted for their support through their work to organisations that Turkey recognize as terrorist groups and their role in the failed coup in 2016. They were given jail term ranging from two and a half years to more than eight years. However, the Supreme Court overturned the decision in September.&nbsp;

"Once again a Turkish court has defied the decision of the higher court. Once again, journalism is the victim in this case," said Emma Sinclair-Webb, of Human Rights Watch, after the verdict.&nbsp;

Turkey's Constitutional Court said in May that the verdict against two former scribes: Gursel and Murat Aksoy, violates the principles of freedom of speech and expression.&nbsp;

Responding on the judgment, Cumhuriyet's former lawyer Bulent Utku said that the case was "political from the beginning, and aimed at revenge."

Over the years, Turkish media was brought under the control of Erdogan's allies. The International Press Institute, a global watchdog, released a report on Tuesday which claimed that over 100 journalists are still being jailed in Turkey following the failed coup. The report also said that the situation of journalists have not improved in Turkey since the two-year emergency that was lifted last year.&nbsp;

Ankara says that the suspensions, detentions and sackings in 2016 were needed to safeguard national security, given that Turkey has faced attacks from Kurdish, Islamist and far-left militants. However, critics believe that Erdogan used failed coup as a pretext to clamp down on dissent and strengthen his authoritarian rule.&nbsp;

Cumhuriyet, founded in 1924, is one of Turkey's rare media organisations that is run by an independent foundation. Most of the media houses in Turkey are run by business tycoons.&nbsp;

In 2016, Cumhuriyet's editor-in-chief Can Dundar fled to Germany after being convicted in 2016 over an article claiming that Turkey had supplied weapons to Islamist groups in Syria.&nbsp;

Turkey is currently ranked 157 out of 180 countries for press freedom by Reporters Without Borders.

(with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

&nbsp;

A Turkish court overturned higher court verdict and re-convicted journalists from Turkey's oldest newspaper. The rights groups called the judgment against 12 former scribes from Cumhuriyet "scandalous".

A Turkish court overturned higher court verdict and re-convicted journalists from Turkey's oldest newspaper. The rights groups called the judgment against 12 former scribes from Cumhuriyet "scandalous". The verdict also reaffirms the crackdown on media freedom under the rule of Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The journalists were convicted for their support through their work to organisations that Turkey recognize as terrorist groups and their role in the failed coup in 2016. They were given jail term ranging from two and a half years to more than eight years. However, the Supreme Court overturned the decision in September. "Once again a Turkish court has defied the decision of the higher court. Once again, journalism is the victim in this case," said Emma Sinclair-Webb, of Human Rights Watch, after the verdict. Turkey's Constitutional Court said in May that the verdict against two former scribes: Gursel and Murat Aksoy, violates the principles of freedom of speech and expression. Responding on the judgment, Cumhuriyet's former lawyer Bulent Utku said that the case was "political from the beginning, and aimed at revenge." Over the years, Turkish media was brought under the control of Erdogan's allies. The International Press Institute, a global watchdog, released a report on Tuesday which claimed that over 100 journalists are still being jailed in Turkey following the failed coup. The report also said that the situation of journalists have not improved in Turkey since the two-year emergency that was lifted last year. Ankara says that the suspensions, detentions and sackings in 2016 were needed to safeguard national security, given that Turkey has faced attacks from Kurdish, Islamist and far-left militants. However, critics believe that Erdogan used failed coup as a pretext to clamp down on dissent and strengthen his authoritarian rule. Cumhuriyet, founded in 1924, is one of Turkey's rare media organisations that is run by an independent foundation. Most of the media houses in Turkey are run by business tycoons. In 2016, Cumhuriyet's editor-in-chief Can Dundar fled to Germany after being convicted in 2016 over an article claiming that Turkey had supplied weapons to Islamist groups in Syria. Turkey is currently ranked 157 out of 180 countries for press freedom by Reporters Without Borders. (with inputs from AFP and Reuters)

Turkey: Former journalists re-convicted despite higher court ruling

Turkey's Interior Minister said on Wednesday that around 100,000 Syrians living without approval in Istanbul had left it since early July, when the government set a deadline for Syrians not registered in the city to leave for other provinces.

As sentiment towards Syrian refugees among Turks began to sour in recent years, authorities said Syrians not registered in Turkey's largest city should return to the provinces in which they are registered by Oct. 30, or face forced removal.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../turkey-threatens-new-syria-operations-directs-us -russia-to-fulfill-agreement-263046">Turkey </a>hosts some 3.6 million refugees who fled the eight-year-old civil war, more than any other country. The Syrian population in Istanbul, home to some 15 million people, had swollen to more than half a million, more than those in any other Turkish city.

Syrians registered in other cities came to Istanbul, leading to an acculumation in the city, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told parliament.

"Around 100,000 Syrian have returned to provinces in which they are registered since July 12," he said, adding that a total of 200,000 migrants had left the city.

Turkey also houses migrants from other Middle Eastern and African nations.

On Friday, the Istanbul governor's office said more than 6,000 Syrian migrants in Istanbul were sent to temporary housing centres in other provinces since early July.

Ankara wants to settle some Syrian refugees in a swathe of land it now controls in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../erdogan-says-he-told-trump-turkey-will-not- give-up-russian-s-400s-263168">Northeast Syria</a>, after it launched an offensive last month against the Kurdish YPG militia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../amnesty-international-says-turkey-deporting- syrians-to-planned-safe-zone-region-258214">Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch</a> last month published reports saying Turkey is forcibly sending Syrian refugees to northern Syria. Turkey's Foreign Ministry called the claims in the reports "false and imaginary."

Turkey has deported 86,625 illegal migrants so far this year, compared to 56,000 in all of 2018, Soylu said.

Turkey's Interior Minister said on Wednesday that around 100,000 Syrians living without approval in Istanbul had left it since early July, when the government set a deadline for Syrians not registered in the city to leave for other provinces.

Turkey's Interior Minister said on Wednesday that around 100,000 Syrians living without approval in Istanbul had left it since early July, when the government set a deadline for Syrians not registered in the city to leave for other provinces. As sentiment towards Syrian refugees among Turks began to sour in recent years, authorities said Syrians not registered in Turkey's largest city should return to the provinces in which they are registered by Oct. 30, or face forced removal. Turkey hosts some 3.6 million refugees who fled the eight-year-old civil war, more than any other country. The Syrian population in Istanbul, home to some 15 million people, had swollen to more than half a million, more than those in any other Turkish city. Syrians registered in other cities came to Istanbul, leading to an acculumation in the city, Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu told parliament. "Around 100,000 Syrian have returned to provinces in which they are registered since July 12," he said, adding that a total of 200,000 migrants had left the city. Turkey also houses migrants from other Middle Eastern and African nations. On Friday, the Istanbul governor's office said more than 6,000 Syrian migrants in Istanbul were sent to temporary housing centres in other provinces since early July. Ankara wants to settle some Syrian refugees in a swathe of land it now controls in Northeast Syria, after it launched an offensive last month against the Kurdish YPG militia. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch last month published reports saying Turkey is forcibly sending Syrian refugees to northern Syria. Turkey's Foreign Ministry called the claims in the reports "false and imaginary." Turkey has deported 86,625 illegal migrants so far this year, compared to 56,000 in all of 2018, Soylu said.

Turkey says about 100,000 Syrians left Istanbul since early July

Turkey has ordered the detention of 133 military personnel over suspected links to a network Ankara accuses of organising an attempted coup in 2016, the state-run Anadolu news agency said on Tuesday.

The suspects are being sought in an operation centred in the western coastal province of Izmir, Anadolu said, adding that 82 of them were serving members in the military.

Ankara blames US-based&nbsp;Muslim cleric<a href="https://www.wionews.com/west-asia/turkey-orders-295-military-personnel-arrested-over-gulen-links-198961"> Fethullah Gulen</a>, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, of masterminding the failed putsch on July 15, 2016. He has denied any involvement.

In the three-year purge since the coup attempt, more than 77,000 people have been jailed pending trial and about 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others have been sacked or suspended from their jobs. Widespread arrests are still carried out routinely.

Turkey's Western allies and rights groups have criticised the massive crackdown, saying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-renews-syria-air-and-ground-operation-threat-253960">President Tayyip Erdogan</a> has used the abortive coup as a pretext to quash dissent.

Ankara has defended the measures as a necessary response to the scale of the security threat facing Turkey and has vowed to eradicate Gulen's network.

Turkey has ordered the detention of 133 military personnel over suspected links to a network Ankara accuses of organising an attempted coup in 2016, the state-run Anadolu news agency said on Tuesday.

Turkey has ordered the detention of 133 military personnel over suspected links to a network Ankara accuses of organising an attempted coup in 2016, the state-run Anadolu news agency said on Tuesday. The suspects are being sought in an operation centred in the western coastal province of Izmir, Anadolu said, adding that 82 of them were serving members in the military. Ankara blames US-based Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who has lived in self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999, of masterminding the failed putsch on July 15, 2016. He has denied any involvement. In the three-year purge since the coup attempt, more than 77,000 people have been jailed pending trial and about 150,000 civil servants, military personnel and others have been sacked or suspended from their jobs. Widespread arrests are still carried out routinely. Turkey's Western allies and rights groups have criticised the massive crackdown, saying President Tayyip Erdogan has used the abortive coup as a pretext to quash dissent. Ankara has defended the measures as a necessary response to the scale of the security threat facing Turkey and has vowed to eradicate Gulen's network.

Turkey orders detention of 133 military personnel over suspected Gulen links - Anadolu

&nbsp;President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../40000-refugees-expelled-from-istanbul-262461">Tayyip Erdogan</a> said on Tuesday he told US&nbsp;President Donald Trump during talks in Washington last week that Turkey would not give up on the Russian S-400 missile defences it procured this year, despite protests from its NATO ally.

Ankara and Washington have been at loggerheads over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../turkey-bought-s-400s-from-russia-to-use-them- not-to-put-them-aside-262580">Turkey's purchase of the S-400s</a>, which Washington says are not compatible with NATO defences and pose a threat to its F-35 stealth fighter jets.

In response, the United States has suspended Turkey from the jet programme, where it was a buyer and a manufacturer, and warned of possible US sanctions over the deal.

Last week, Erdogan and Trump met at the White House to overcome mounting differences ranging from the S-400s to Syria policy. During the talks, Trump urged Erdogan to drop the S-400 systems in lieu of US&nbsp;Patriot systems.

However, Erdogan said on Tuesday he had told Trump during their talks that Turkey will not abandon the S-400s.

"We agreed to seek solutions to the S-400 issue. I explained to Trump once again how we came to the point of buying S-400s," Erdogan told party members in parliament.

"I told him that we could not give up on the S-400s and that Turkey will not turn back," he said.

Erdogan also reiterated a warning that Turkey will seek fighter jets elsewhere if Washington continued to block its planned purchases of F-35s.

"If the current uncompromising stance on the F-35s persists, we told him (Trump) that Turkey would seek alternatives to meet its medium-term needs," Erdogan said.

Tensions between the NATO allies were further strained last month when Turkey launched an incursion against the Kurdish YPG militia in northeast Syria. Ankara views the U.S.-backed YPG as a terrorist group and has been infuriated by American support.

Despite what appears to be warm relations between Erdogan and Trump, the offensive prompted the US&nbsp;Congress to pass one resolution recognising the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 as "genocide" and another calling for sanctions on Ankara.

While Ankara has said the talks in Washington were fruitful, Erdogan's remarks since then about keeping the S-400s have angered some U.S. lawmakers.

"I will work with my colleagues to ensure there is zero chance that F-35s will leave the United States for Turkey while Erdogan possesses the S-400 missile system," Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said late last week.

"In addition, if he is firm in his position on keeping the S-400s, I intend to move forward with a Turkey sanctions bill. It is his choice, and he knows the consequences," said Risch, who like Trump is a Republican and who attended part of the Oval Office meeting with Erdogan.

But Erdogan appeared to strike a conciliatory tone on Tuesday, saying lingering differences between the allies can be resolved.

"The areas of concern with the United States are comprised of small things," he said. "While we were unable solve many of the issues between us during our talks, we showed the entire world that we are not letting these problems take our relations hostage."

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he told US President Donald Trump during talks in Washington last week that Turkey would not give up on the Russian S-400 missile defences it procured this year, despite protests from its NATO ally.

President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he told US President Donald Trump during talks in Washington last week that Turkey would not give up on the Russian S-400 missile defences it procured this year, despite protests from its NATO ally. Ankara and Washington have been at loggerheads over Turkey's purchase of the S-400s, which Washington says are not compatible with NATO defences and pose a threat to its F-35 stealth fighter jets. In response, the United States has suspended Turkey from the jet programme, where it was a buyer and a manufacturer, and warned of possible US sanctions over the deal. Last week, Erdogan and Trump met at the White House to overcome mounting differences ranging from the S-400s to Syria policy. During the talks, Trump urged Erdogan to drop the S-400 systems in lieu of US Patriot systems. However, Erdogan said on Tuesday he had told Trump during their talks that Turkey will not abandon the S-400s. "We agreed to seek solutions to the S-400 issue. I explained to Trump once again how we came to the point of buying S-400s," Erdogan told party members in parliament. "I told him that we could not give up on the S-400s and that Turkey will not turn back," he said. Erdogan also reiterated a warning that Turkey will seek fighter jets elsewhere if Washington continued to block its planned purchases of F-35s. "If the current uncompromising stance on the F-35s persists, we told him (Trump) that Turkey would seek alternatives to meet its medium-term needs," Erdogan said. Tensions between the NATO allies were further strained last month when Turkey launched an incursion against the Kurdish YPG militia in northeast Syria. Ankara views the U.S.-backed YPG as a terrorist group and has been infuriated by American support. Despite what appears to be warm relations between Erdogan and Trump, the offensive prompted the US Congress to pass one resolution recognising the mass killings of Armenians in 1915 as "genocide" and another calling for sanctions on Ankara. While Ankara has said the talks in Washington were fruitful, Erdogan's remarks since then about keeping the S-400s have angered some U.S. lawmakers. "I will work with my colleagues to ensure there is zero chance that F-35s will leave the United States for Turkey while Erdogan possesses the S-400 missile system," Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said late last week. "In addition, if he is firm in his position on keeping the S-400s, I intend to move forward with a Turkey sanctions bill. It is his choice, and he knows the consequences," said Risch, who like Trump is a Republican and who attended part of the Oval Office meeting with Erdogan. But Erdogan appeared to strike a conciliatory tone on Tuesday, saying lingering differences between the allies can be resolved. "The areas of concern with the United States are comprised of small things," he said. "While we were unable solve many of the issues between us during our talks, we showed the entire world that we are not letting these problems take our relations hostage."

Erdogan says he told Trump Turkey will not give up Russian S-400s

Turkey purchased S-400 missile defence systems to use them, not put them aside, chief of the Turkish Defence Industry Directorate said on Saturday.

Ismail Demir in an interview with CNN Turk that it was illogical for any country to purchase such systems only to put them aside. He added that the US and Turkey will hold talks to resolve the issue.

"We have allied relations with Russia and the United States. We have to go on and respect the agreements we signed," he said.

The United States has already suspended Turkey from the F-35 programme over the purchase of s-400s and warned that it will impose sanctions if the deal is not scrapped. Turkey began receiving the s-400 systems from July. Washington said that it will not impose sanctions if Turkey doesn't operate the system.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/despite-wonderful-meeting-trump-and-erdogan-fail-to-resolve-conflicts-262004">Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump </a>met in Washington to settle differences which include Syria policy and s-400 purchase. Trump asked Erdogan to drop the deal with Russia but Erdogan later said that the country will purchase <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-out-of-question-to-leave-s-400s-but-would-buy-patriots-too-says-turkish-president-erdogan-262147">US patriot defences </a>in addition to Russia's defence systems.&nbsp;

Erdogan's spokesperson Ibrahim Kalim said on Friday that both countries are working on a "joint mechanism" to ease off tensions over the F-35 programme and S-400 systems.

US has already removed Turkey from the F-35 jet programme under CAATSA that mandates sanctions for any "significant" purchase of weapons from Russia.&nbsp;

"We still believe we can find a middle ground on the S-400 issue, so long as both sides are open," Demir said.&nbsp;

Demir also said that the Turkish personnel will continue to receive training from Russia for s-400s but officials from Russia will not visit Turkey anymore to operate the missile systems.&nbsp;

Russia and Turkey have settled their differences in Syria and working&nbsp;closely to find a solution. Erdogan's spokesperson also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to visit Turkey in the first week of January next year.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

Turkey purchased S-400 missile defence systems to use them, not put them aside, chief of the Turkish Defence Industry Directorate said on Saturday. Ismail Demir in an interview with CNN Turk that it was illogical for any country to purchase such systems only to put them aside.

Turkey purchased S-400 missile defence systems to use them, not put them aside, chief of the Turkish Defence Industry Directorate said on Saturday. Ismail Demir in an interview with CNN Turk that it was illogical for any country to purchase such systems only to put them aside. He added that the US and Turkey will hold talks to resolve the issue. "We have allied relations with Russia and the United States. We have to go on and respect the agreements we signed," he said. The United States has already suspended Turkey from the F-35 programme over the purchase of s-400s and warned that it will impose sanctions if the deal is not scrapped. Turkey began receiving the s-400 systems from July. Washington said that it will not impose sanctions if Turkey doesn't operate the system. On Wednesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Donald Trump met in Washington to settle differences which include Syria policy and s-400 purchase. Trump asked Erdogan to drop the deal with Russia but Erdogan later said that the country will purchase US patriot defences in addition to Russia's defence systems. Erdogan's spokesperson Ibrahim Kalim said on Friday that both countries are working on a "joint mechanism" to ease off tensions over the F-35 programme and S-400 systems. US has already removed Turkey from the F-35 jet programme under CAATSA that mandates sanctions for any "significant" purchase of weapons from Russia. "We still believe we can find a middle ground on the S-400 issue, so long as both sides are open," Demir said. Demir also said that the Turkish personnel will continue to receive training from Russia for s-400s but officials from Russia will not visit Turkey anymore to operate the missile systems. Russia and Turkey have settled their differences in Syria and working closely to find a solution. Erdogan's spokesperson also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin planned to visit Turkey in the first week of January next year. (with inputs from agencies)

Turkey bought s-400s from Russia to use them, not to put them aside

Turkey will not give up on Russian S-400 air defense system to acquire US Patriots, says Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Erdogan: Turkey won’t give up on Russia’s S-400

Russia landed attack helicopters and troops at a sprawling airbase in northern Syria vacated by US&nbsp;forces, the Russian Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel said on Friday.

Armed Russian military police were shown in footage aired on Zvezda flying into the Syrian airbase in northern Aleppo province near the border with Turkey and fanning out to secure the area.

The move comes after US&nbsp;President Donald Trump abruptly ordered the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-forces-withdraw-from-key-base-in-northern-syria-257070">withdrawal of US&nbsp;troops</a> from parts of Syria last month.

The facility will be used as a centre to distribute humanitarian aid for local residents and the military aerodrome is now controlled by Syrian government forces allied with Moscow, Zvezda said.

On Thursday, Zvezda said Russia had <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-sets-up-helicopter-base-in-northern-syria-after-us-exit-262051">set up a helicopter base</a> at an airport in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli, a move designed to increase Moscow's control over events on the ground there.

Russia and Turkey are carrying out joint patrols along Syria's border with Turkey as part of a deal struck between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan.

"We entered the base and took the inner and external perimeter under control," a senior Russian military police inspector was quoted by Zvezda as saying.

"Now sappers are looking and going through every building to make sure there aren't some kind of explosive substances left behind or some kind of surprises here for us," he said.

Zvezda aired footage of US&nbsp;equipment such as medical supplies to treat sunburn that had been left behind as well as a gym and sleeping facilities.

Russia has two permanent military facilities in Syria, an air base in Latakia province used for air strikes against forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad, and a naval facility at Tartus on the Mediterranean.

Russia landed attack helicopters and troops at a sprawling airbase in northern Syria vacated by US forces, the Russian Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel said on Friday.

Russia landed attack helicopters and troops at a sprawling airbase in northern Syria vacated by US forces, the Russian Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel said on Friday. Armed Russian military police were shown in footage aired on Zvezda flying into the Syrian airbase in northern Aleppo province near the border with Turkey and fanning out to secure the area. The move comes after US President Donald Trump abruptly ordered the withdrawal of US troops from parts of Syria last month. The facility will be used as a centre to distribute humanitarian aid for local residents and the military aerodrome is now controlled by Syrian government forces allied with Moscow, Zvezda said. On Thursday, Zvezda said Russia had set up a helicopter base at an airport in the northeastern Syrian city of Qamishli, a move designed to increase Moscow's control over events on the ground there. Russia and Turkey are carrying out joint patrols along Syria's border with Turkey as part of a deal struck between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan. "We entered the base and took the inner and external perimeter under control," a senior Russian military police inspector was quoted by Zvezda as saying. "Now sappers are looking and going through every building to make sure there aren't some kind of explosive substances left behind or some kind of surprises here for us," he said. Zvezda aired footage of US equipment such as medical supplies to treat sunburn that had been left behind as well as a gym and sleeping facilities. Russia has two permanent military facilities in Syria, an air base in Latakia province used for air strikes against forces opposing President Bashar al-Assad, and a naval facility at Tartus on the Mediterranean.

Russia lands forces at former US air base in northern Syria

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Turkey and others in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/poland-says-frances-macron-comments-on-nato-dangerous-261350">international community</a> were very disappointed in a French statement about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, at a White House meeting flanked by US&nbsp;senators and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that NATO was experiencing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/french-president-says-nato-experiencing-brain-death-260582">"brain death,"</a> citing a lack of coordination and US&nbsp;unpredictability under Trump. He also expressed doubt about the US-led alliance's security maxim that an attack on one ally would be treated as an attack on all.

"I think (Erdogan), I think I can say this, because other people know it, and many other people feel the same way, they were very disappointed and he was very disappointed in the statement made by France having to do with commitment and NATO," Trump said.

"I think that bothered the president very much and I don't think he was very happy about it, and a lot of other people feel that way too."

Trump did not clarify who else he was referring to felt the same way.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Turkey and others in the international community were very disappointed in a French statement about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, at a White House meeting flanked by US senators and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Turkey and others in the international community were very disappointed in a French statement about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, at a White House meeting flanked by US senators and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan. French President Emmanuel Macron recently said that NATO was experiencing "brain death," citing a lack of coordination and US unpredictability under Trump. He also expressed doubt about the US-led alliance's security maxim that an attack on one ally would be treated as an attack on all. "I think (Erdogan), I think I can say this, because other people know it, and many other people feel the same way, they were very disappointed and he was very disappointed in the statement made by France having to do with commitment and NATO," Trump said. "I think that bothered the president very much and I don't think he was very happy about it, and a lot of other people feel that way too." Trump did not clarify who else he was referring to felt the same way.

Trump describes Turkish disappointment in French NATO statement

Does Anyone Know Who Are The Friends & Enemies Of The U.S. Under Trump?

Gravitas: When Trump met Erdogan!

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WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - November 14th, 2019

Trump, Erdogan discuss Turkey's purchase of Russian Missile Defense System. Watch video to know more.

Trump, Erdogan discuss Turkey's purchase of Russian Missile Defense System

US&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Wednesday pushed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to walk away from the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-should-scrap-russian-missile-system-or-face-us-sanctions-white-house-official-261262">purchase of a Russian missile</a> defence system, calling it a "very serious challenge" to bilateral ties, even though he described a meeting between the two leaders as "wonderful."

After the much anticipated <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/behind-trump-erdogan-bromance-a-white-house-meeting-to-repair-us-turkey-ties-261682">meeting at the White House</a> to address a crisis in relations, Trump said he was "a great fan" of the Turkish leader and that they had a "productive" encounter.

But both leaders fell short of explaining in concrete terms how they would overcome the mounting differences they have on numerous issues, from Erdogan's incursion in Syria against America's Kurdish allies to Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system.

"Turkey's acquisition of sophisticated Russian military equipment, such as the S-400, creates some very serious challenges for us and we are talking about it constantly," Trump told a joint news conference.

"We talked about it today, we're talking about it in the future, hopefully we'll be able to resolve that situation."

Minutes after their news conference, the White House released a statement using firmer language than the two leaders, who boast of having a warm personal relationship while their governments are largely on icy terms.

"In order to achieve progress on other fronts, it is vital that we resolve the issues involving Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system, strengthening our defence partnership," it said.

Washington says Ankara's purchase of the Russian system is not compatible with NATO defences and also poses a threat to the F-35 'stealth' fighter jet Lockheed Martin&nbsp;is developing. It is concerned that Turkey, a bulwark against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, is deepening ties with Moscow at the expense of its partnership with the United States.

Turkey had shrugged off threats of US&nbsp;sanctions and began receiving its first S-400 deliveries in July. To punish Turkey, the United States has banned sales of F-35s to the country and removed it from a multinational programme to produce the warplane.

On Wednesday, both leaders said they will work to resolve the issue, without saying how. "We've asked our secretary of state and minister of foreign affairs and our respective national security advisers to immediately work on resolving the S-400 issue," Trump said.

Erdogan said the two countries could only overcome the dispute through dialogue. "We are in agreement to further Turkish-American ties on a healthy ground. We have agreed to open a new page in our relationship," he said.

Despite the tensions on policy issues, Trump gave a warm welcome to Erdogan. It was in sharp contrast to anger in the US&nbsp;Congress over Ankara's offensive into Syria to drive out a Kurdish militia that has been Washington's main partner in the fight against Islamic State.

"We've been friends for a long time, almost from Day 1. We understand each others' country. We understand where we are coming from," Trump told Erdogan as they sat next to each other in the Oval Office. "They're highly respected in their country and in the region," Trump said of Erdogan and his wife, Emine.

Bilateral relations hit a fresh low last month when Erdogan began his <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/key-developments-in-turkeys-offensive-in-syria-256638">cross-border incursion</a> against the Kurds.

Trump has come under intense pressure from his fellow Republicans for withdrawing US&nbsp;troops from the area and clearing the way for Turkey's incursion. On Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkey was the best partner for the United States to help fight Islamic State.

"Turkey and the United States can work together to finish Islamic State and bring peace to Syria. The most reliable US&nbsp;partner in the region to do this is Turkey," Erdogan said.

At a speech later in Washington, Erdogan said he asked Trump to cease support for the Kurdish YPG militia, who are seen as hostile by Ankara but form the backbone of the SDF, the main US&nbsp;partner in Syria fighting against Islamic State. He did not say how Trump responded.

A day ago, both senior administration officials and a State Department official in separate briefings told reporters that Washington had no intention of ending its partnership with the SDF.

Trump brought in five Republican senators to the White House to speak with Erdogan about the Syrian Kurds and the delivery of S-400s. Following the meeting, Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator close to Trump and who advocated imposing sanctions on Turkey over its incursion, said the discussion at the White House with Erdogan was "candid and frank."

"I'm hoping to salvage this relationship, but only time will tell if that is possible," Graham said in a statement.

Erdogan was critical of the US&nbsp;Congress, particularly of a House of Representatives vote last month in favour of a non-binding resolution recognising the killings of 1.5 million Armenians a century ago as a genocide, a symbolic but historic vote denounced by Turkey.

At his speech later, he called the House resolution as "shameful" and "against historical realities."

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday pushed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to walk away from the purchase of a Russian missile defence system, calling it a "very serious challenge" to bilateral ties, even though he described a meeting between the two leaders as "wonderful.

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday pushed Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to walk away from the purchase of a Russian missile defence system, calling it a "very serious challenge" to bilateral ties, even though he described a meeting between the two leaders as "wonderful." After the much anticipated meeting at the White House to address a crisis in relations, Trump said he was "a great fan" of the Turkish leader and that they had a "productive" encounter. But both leaders fell short of explaining in concrete terms how they would overcome the mounting differences they have on numerous issues, from Erdogan's incursion in Syria against America's Kurdish allies to Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defence system. "Turkey's acquisition of sophisticated Russian military equipment, such as the S-400, creates some very serious challenges for us and we are talking about it constantly," Trump told a joint news conference. "We talked about it today, we're talking about it in the future, hopefully we'll be able to resolve that situation." Minutes after their news conference, the White House released a statement using firmer language than the two leaders, who boast of having a warm personal relationship while their governments are largely on icy terms. "In order to achieve progress on other fronts, it is vital that we resolve the issues involving Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 air defence system, strengthening our defence partnership," it said. Washington says Ankara's purchase of the Russian system is not compatible with NATO defences and also poses a threat to the F-35 'stealth' fighter jet Lockheed Martin is developing. It is concerned that Turkey, a bulwark against the Soviet Union during the Cold War, is deepening ties with Moscow at the expense of its partnership with the United States. Turkey had shrugged off threats of US sanctions and began receiving its first S-400 deliveries in July. To punish Turkey, the United States has banned sales of F-35s to the country and removed it from a multinational programme to produce the warplane. On Wednesday, both leaders said they will work to resolve the issue, without saying how. "We've asked our secretary of state and minister of foreign affairs and our respective national security advisers to immediately work on resolving the S-400 issue," Trump said. Erdogan said the two countries could only overcome the dispute through dialogue. "We are in agreement to further Turkish-American ties on a healthy ground. We have agreed to open a new page in our relationship," he said. Despite the tensions on policy issues, Trump gave a warm welcome to Erdogan. It was in sharp contrast to anger in the US Congress over Ankara's offensive into Syria to drive out a Kurdish militia that has been Washington's main partner in the fight against Islamic State. "We've been friends for a long time, almost from Day 1. We understand each others' country. We understand where we are coming from," Trump told Erdogan as they sat next to each other in the Oval Office. "They're highly respected in their country and in the region," Trump said of Erdogan and his wife, Emine. Bilateral relations hit a fresh low last month when Erdogan began his cross-border incursion against the Kurds. Trump has come under intense pressure from his fellow Republicans for withdrawing US troops from the area and clearing the way for Turkey's incursion. On Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkey was the best partner for the United States to help fight Islamic State. "Turkey and the United States can work together to finish Islamic State and bring peace to Syria. The most reliable US partner in the region to do this is Turkey," Erdogan said. At a speech later in Washington, Erdogan said he asked Trump to cease support for the Kurdish YPG militia, who are seen as hostile by Ankara but form the backbone of the SDF, the main US partner in Syria fighting against Islamic State. He did not say how Trump responded. A day ago, both senior administration officials and a State Department official in separate briefings told reporters that Washington had no intention of ending its partnership with the SDF. Trump brought in five Republican senators to the White House to speak with Erdogan about the Syrian Kurds and the delivery of S-400s. Following the meeting, Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator close to Trump and who advocated imposing sanctions on Turkey over its incursion, said the discussion at the White House with Erdogan was "candid and frank." "I'm hoping to salvage this relationship, but only time will tell if that is possible," Graham said in a statement. Erdogan was critical of the US Congress, particularly of a House of Representatives vote last month in favour of a non-binding resolution recognising the killings of 1.5 million Armenians a century ago as a genocide, a symbolic but historic vote denounced by Turkey. At his speech later, he called the House resolution as "shameful" and "against historical realities."

Despite 'wonderful' meeting, Trump and Erdogan fail to resolve conflicts

Russia has begun setting up a helicopter base at a civilian airport in the north-eastern Syrian city of Qamishli, the Russian Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel said on Thursday, showing footage of helicopter gunships arriving there.

The new base is protected by Pantsir surface-to-air missile systems and three helicopters, including two Mi-35 gunships and a Mi-8 military transport helicopter, have already been deployed there, with more to follow.

Zvezda broadcast footage of Russian military police protecting the base. Armoured vehicles and ground support crews for the helicopters were also shown, as was a weather station and a small doctor's surgery.

"This is the first group of Russian military helicopters here in northern Syria... It's a historic moment. From this day onwards our aviation group will operate permanently at Qamishli's city airport," said Pavel Remnev, Zvezda's correspondent.

The Russian deployment comes less than a month after<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-states-forces-withdraw-from-key-base-in-northern-syria-257070"> US&nbsp;forces withdrawing</a> from the area were pelted with potatoes by local residents after President Donald Trump abruptly ordered them to pull back from parts of Syria.

Russia has previously started using military helicopters to patrol an area near Syria's border with Turkey in order to protect Russian military police working on the ground there.

The new base will allow them to do so more effectively, Zvezda said.

The patrols are carried out with Turkish forces and are designed to monitor an agreement struck by Moscow and Ankara after Turkey launched an offensive across its border with Syrian rebels in October, seeking to push out Kurdish YPG fighters it views as a national security threat.

Russia has begun setting up a helicopter base at a civilian airport in the north-eastern Syrian city of Qamishli, the Russian Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel said on Thursday, showing footage of helicopter gunships arriving there.

Russia has begun setting up a helicopter base at a civilian airport in the north-eastern Syrian city of Qamishli, the Russian Defence Ministry's Zvezda TV channel said on Thursday, showing footage of helicopter gunships arriving there. The new base is protected by Pantsir surface-to-air missile systems and three helicopters, including two Mi-35 gunships and a Mi-8 military transport helicopter, have already been deployed there, with more to follow. Zvezda broadcast footage of Russian military police protecting the base. Armoured vehicles and ground support crews for the helicopters were also shown, as was a weather station and a small doctor's surgery. "This is the first group of Russian military helicopters here in northern Syria... It's a historic moment. From this day onwards our aviation group will operate permanently at Qamishli's city airport," said Pavel Remnev, Zvezda's correspondent. The Russian deployment comes less than a month after US forces withdrawing from the area were pelted with potatoes by local residents after President Donald Trump abruptly ordered them to pull back from parts of Syria. Russia has previously started using military helicopters to patrol an area near Syria's border with Turkey in order to protect Russian military police working on the ground there. The new base will allow them to do so more effectively, Zvezda said. The patrols are carried out with Turkish forces and are designed to monitor an agreement struck by Moscow and Ankara after Turkey launched an offensive across its border with Syrian rebels in October, seeking to push out Kurdish YPG fighters it views as a national security threat.

Russia sets up helicopter base in northern Syria after US exit

Turkish forces conducting a joint patrol in northern Syria under a Russian-Turkish deal fired live rounds on Tuesday at protesters near the mainly Kurdish town of Kobani, a witness and a monitor said.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said two people were killed and seven others injured near the town along the Syrian-Turkish border.

Turkey's military launched a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-strikes-in-syrian-iraqi-border-ahead-of-planned-offensive-254608">cross-border offensive</a> into northeast Syria last month to target the Kurdish YPG militia in the region, seizing control of 120 km (75 miles) of land along the frontier.

Under a subsequent deal, Russia and Turkey agreed to push the YPG at least 30 km (19 miles) south of the frontier and to hold joint patrols. Ankara views the YPG as terrorists linked to a Kurdish insurgency on Turkish soil.

The Turkish Defence Ministry said a fifth joint land patrol with Russia took place in the border region on Tuesday "with due care and diligence for the safety of both civilians and our military personnel despite provocation by terrorists."

TASS news agency cited Russia's Defence Ministry as saying <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bombings-kill-6-civilians-in-main-kurdish-city-in-syria-261463">Turkish forces</a> and Russian military police conducted the patrol north of Kobani without mentioning a shooting incident.

The witness said forces fired live rounds into the air to disperse residents who were pelting stones at the patrol in an attempt to block it. The forces then fired bullets and tear gas at the protesters, wounding three, he said.

Syrian Kurdish residents have protested during the patrols against the deal under which Turkish troops are entering the border region. The reported shooting on Tuesday appeared to be the first such incident since the patrols started last month.

The Turkish-Russian deal enabled Syrian government forces to move back into border regions held by Kurdish fighters and where the Syrian army had been absent for years.

Mustafa Bali, spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, which the YPG spearheads, said in a tweet: "Turkish army is firing live bullets on Kurdish protesters and killing them in broad daylight."

Turkish forces conducting a joint patrol in northern Syria under a Russian-Turkish deal fired live rounds on Tuesday at protesters near the mainly Kurdish town of Kobani, a witness and a monitor said.

Turkish forces conducting a joint patrol in northern Syria under a Russian-Turkish deal fired live rounds on Tuesday at protesters near the mainly Kurdish town of Kobani, a witness and a monitor said. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said two people were killed and seven others injured near the town along the Syrian-Turkish border. Turkey's military launched a cross-border offensive into northeast Syria last month to target the Kurdish YPG militia in the region, seizing control of 120 km (75 miles) of land along the frontier. Under a subsequent deal, Russia and Turkey agreed to push the YPG at least 30 km (19 miles) south of the frontier and to hold joint patrols. Ankara views the YPG as terrorists linked to a Kurdish insurgency on Turkish soil. The Turkish Defence Ministry said a fifth joint land patrol with Russia took place in the border region on Tuesday "with due care and diligence for the safety of both civilians and our military personnel despite provocation by terrorists." TASS news agency cited Russia's Defence Ministry as saying Turkish forces and Russian military police conducted the patrol north of Kobani without mentioning a shooting incident. The witness said forces fired live rounds into the air to disperse residents who were pelting stones at the patrol in an attempt to block it. The forces then fired bullets and tear gas at the protesters, wounding three, he said. Syrian Kurdish residents have protested during the patrols against the deal under which Turkish troops are entering the border region. The reported shooting on Tuesday appeared to be the first such incident since the patrols started last month. The Turkish-Russian deal enabled Syrian government forces to move back into border regions held by Kurdish fighters and where the Syrian army had been absent for years. Mustafa Bali, spokesman for the Syrian Democratic Forces, which the YPG spearheads, said in a tweet: "Turkish army is firing live bullets on Kurdish protesters and killing them in broad daylight."

Turkish forces in patrol shoot at protesters in Syria's Kobani - Witness, Observatory

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