Turkey urged Russia on Wednesday to deal with alleged violations of a week-old ceasefire by Syrian government forces in Idlib, the last bastion of resistance to President Bashar al-Assad.

"Although there are only small incidents here and there, the ceasefire has started to be violated," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backs some rebel groups in Idlib.

"We are sharing these developments with Russia... and expect them to take measures."

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogan-says-us-offering-patriot-systems-if-s-400s-remain-unboxed-285504">Turkish President Erdogan says US offering Patriot systems if S-400s remain unboxed</a>

Erdogan agreed a truce last week with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who supports government forces, but previous deals have proved temporary.

Turkey launched a military operation in Syria after more than 50 of its soldiers were killed in Idlib last month.

Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said talks were proceeding "in a constructive fashion" with Russia to launch joint patrols along the key M4 road in Idlib on Sunday, as agreed under the ceasefire deal.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrant-deal-with-european-union-needs-to-be-updated-turkey-285469">Migrant deal with European Union needs to be updated: Turkey</a>

As well as supporting some rebel groups, Turkey set up military observation posts in Idlib under a 2018 deal with Russia aimed at preventing a regime assault.

"We signed the temporary ceasefire in Moscow. The matter now is to turn this ceasefire into a permanent one. We are chasing this speedily now. Once we are done with it, we will have an easier task," Erdogan said.

"In the face of the smallest attack (on our posts), we will not only retaliate, but we will respond much more heavily."

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-pitches-for-constitutional-amendment-mps-back-package-of-changes-285487"> Putin pitches for constitutional amendment, MPs back package of changes</a>

Damascus, backed by Iranian troops and Russian air strikes, has been fighting to retake Idlib since December, pushing close to a million civilians northwards towards Turkey's border.

Turkey already hosts some four million refugees, and has called for greater assistance from Europe and its NATO partners in dealing with the crisis.

Turkey urged Russia on Wednesday to deal with alleged violations of a week-old ceasefire by Syrian government forces in Idlib, the last bastion of resistance to President Bashar al-Assad.

Turkey urged Russia on Wednesday to deal with alleged violations of a week-old ceasefire by Syrian government forces in Idlib, the last bastion of resistance to President Bashar al-Assad. "Although there are only small incidents here and there, the ceasefire has started to be violated," said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who backs some rebel groups in Idlib. "We are sharing these developments with Russia... and expect them to take measures." Also read: Turkish President Erdogan says US offering Patriot systems if S-400s remain unboxed Erdogan agreed a truce last week with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, who supports government forces, but previous deals have proved temporary. Turkey launched a military operation in Syria after more than 50 of its soldiers were killed in Idlib last month. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said talks were proceeding "in a constructive fashion" with Russia to launch joint patrols along the key M4 road in Idlib on Sunday, as agreed under the ceasefire deal. Also see: Migrant deal with European Union needs to be updated: Turkey As well as supporting some rebel groups, Turkey set up military observation posts in Idlib under a 2018 deal with Russia aimed at preventing a regime assault. "We signed the temporary ceasefire in Moscow. The matter now is to turn this ceasefire into a permanent one. We are chasing this speedily now. Once we are done with it, we will have an easier task," Erdogan said. "In the face of the smallest attack (on our posts), we will not only retaliate, but we will respond much more heavily." Also read: Putin pitches for constitutional amendment, MPs back package of changes Damascus, backed by Iranian troops and Russian air strikes, has been fighting to retake Idlib since December, pushing close to a million civilians northwards towards Turkey's border. Turkey already hosts some four million refugees, and has called for greater assistance from Europe and its NATO partners in dealing with the crisis.

Turkey urges Russia to address Syria truce violations

The loss of the important strategic city of Sarakeb in Idlib, northwest Syria, means that Turkey has lost the war to the Syrian government forces for the last rebel-held province that is set to completely re-establish the country.

Today Tonight: Idlib resident face horrific realities

Iran reports 54 new coronavirus deaths, highest single-day toll

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Tanker rates surge as traders hunt for ships to store cheap oil

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Iran reports 54 new coronavirus deaths, highest single-day toll Iran reported 54 deaths from the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the highest one-day toll since the start of the outbreak in the country.

Iran reports 54 new coronavirus deaths, highest single-day toll Iran reported 54 deaths from the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the highest one-day toll since the start of the outbreak in the country. Read More Bulgaria opposes Greek plans for refugee camp near border Bulgaria's defence minister hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid migrant surge from Turkey. Read More Biden, Sanders eye showdown in six states on Super Tuesday The face-off between former US Vice President Joe Biden and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders begins on Tuesday for the Democratic candidate who would take on President Trump in the 2020 US elections. Read More British Prime Minister Johnson faces lawmaker revolt over Huawei 5G decision British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's government faces its first revolt over a decision to allow the Chinese telecom giant Huawei to build the country's 5G phone network. Read More Dutch king apologises for violence during Indonesian independence war Dutch King Willem-Alexander apologised to Indonesia for "excessive violence" during the former colony's independence struggle in the 1940s. Read More Migrant deal with European Union needs to be updated: Turkey Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that a 2016 agreement between Turkey and the European Union needs to be updated, taking into account developments in Syria and that Ankara was ready to work constructively on the issue. Read More US, China back President Ghani, reject Abdullah Abdullah's 'parallel government' in Afghanistan China congratulated Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani on his re-election and called on all parties to accelerate the reconstruction and peace process in the war-torn country. Read More Oil prices rise 10% after Russia indicates 'open to cooperation with OPEC' Oil prices rose ten per cent after Russia indicated that it was open to cooperation with OPEC, a day after prices recorded biggest one-day percentage decline since the first Gulf War in 1991. Read More Bangladesh PM postpones visit to Japan over coronavirus outbreak Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has postponed her two-day official visit to Japan over the global outbreak of the deadly novel coronavirus, foreign minister AK Abdul Momen said. Read More Tanker rates surge as traders hunt for ships to store cheap oil Tanker rates to ship oil in very large crude carriers (VLCCs) are surging as oil traders hunt for ships to store cheap oil as they take advantage of a 25 per cent plunge in prices amid a price war between top oil producers Saudi Arabia and Russia. Read More

Top 10 world news today: Iran reports new coronavirus deaths, oil prices rise and more!

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey.

"The accommodation by the Greek side of illegal migrants near our border is a pre-requisite for building up of additional tensions. This is not good-neighbourly and is unreasonable!" Krasimir Karakachanov posted late Monday on Facebook.

The comments came after Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi announced over the weekend that Athens wanted to build two closed centres in the northern region of Serres that borders Bulgaria and in the Athens area with 1,000 places.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-some-eu-countries-are-struggling-to-relocate-migrants-265965">Why some EU countries are struggling to relocate migrants</a>

Greece already struggling to accommodate thousands of asylum-seekers stranded in the country has come under even more pressure since Turkey stopped preventing migrants and asylum seekers from leaving for EU territory.

"The Bulgarian army is on standby, and I guarantee that I won't allow a new migration wave to our country," wrote Karakachanov, the leader of the nationalist VMRO party, a junior coalition partner in the government.

"Bulgaria will not pay other people's bills".

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-head-to-greece-as-turkey-opens-floodgates-283547">Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates</a>

Bulgaria borders on both Greece and Turkey to the southeast but has so far not seen an influx of asylum seekers.

Conservative prime minister Boyko Borisov recently welcomed what he said was "zero migration" thanks to a barbed-wire fence Bulgaria built on the 259-kilometre (160-mile) border with Turkey and his close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bulgaria's 493-kilometre border with Greece is guarded by border police and has also has not seen any pressure recently.

In talks with Erdogan last week in Ankara, Borisov proposed undertaking "actions which would contribute to solving the crisis in Syria and stop migration pressure" on the region.

He has long pressed for the setting up of closed security centres for asylum seekers outside the EU, funded by the bloc.

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey.

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey. "The accommodation by the Greek side of illegal migrants near our border is a pre-requisite for building up of additional tensions. This is not good-neighbourly and is unreasonable!" Krasimir Karakachanov posted late Monday on Facebook. The comments came after Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi announced over the weekend that Athens wanted to build two closed centres in the northern region of Serres that borders Bulgaria and in the Athens area with 1,000 places. Also Read: Why some EU countries are struggling to relocate migrants Greece already struggling to accommodate thousands of asylum-seekers stranded in the country has come under even more pressure since Turkey stopped preventing migrants and asylum seekers from leaving for EU territory. "The Bulgarian army is on standby, and I guarantee that I won't allow a new migration wave to our country," wrote Karakachanov, the leader of the nationalist VMRO party, a junior coalition partner in the government. "Bulgaria will not pay other people's bills". Also Read: Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates Bulgaria borders on both Greece and Turkey to the southeast but has so far not seen an influx of asylum seekers. Conservative prime minister Boyko Borisov recently welcomed what he said was "zero migration" thanks to a barbed-wire fence Bulgaria built on the 259-kilometre (160-mile) border with Turkey and his close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bulgaria's 493-kilometre border with Greece is guarded by border police and has also has not seen any pressure recently. In talks with Erdogan last week in Ankara, Borisov proposed undertaking "actions which would contribute to solving the crisis in Syria and stop migration pressure" on the region. He has long pressed for the setting up of closed security centres for asylum seekers outside the EU, funded by the bloc.

Bulgaria opposes Greek plans for refugee camp near border

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that a 2016 agreement between Turkey and the European Union needs to be updated, taking into account developments in Syria and that Ankara was ready to work constructively on the issue.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/turkey-and-china-tie-themselves-in-knots-over-syria-and-xinjiang-257735">Turkey and China tie themselves in knots over Syria and Xinjiang</a>

In an interview with state-owned Anadolu news agency, Cavusoglu said that EU visa liberalisation and an update of the country's customs union with the bloc must be implemented to help solve the migrant issue.

Also Read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogan-to-discuss-migrant-issues-with-eu-on-monday-285115"> </a><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-president-erdogan-to-discuss-migrant-issues-with-eu-on-monday-285115">Turkish President Erdogan to discuss migrant issues with EU on Monday</a>

Late on Monday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan left meetings in Brussels with European Union and NATO leaders without issuing a joint statement nor appearing at a joint press conference, as had been planned.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that a 2016 agreement between Turkey and the European Union needs to be updated, taking into account developments in Syria and that Ankara was ready to work constructively on the issue.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday that a 2016 agreement between Turkey and the European Union needs to be updated, taking into account developments in Syria and that Ankara was ready to work constructively on the issue. Also Read: Turkey and China tie themselves in knots over Syria and Xinjiang In an interview with state-owned Anadolu news agency, Cavusoglu said that EU visa liberalisation and an update of the country's customs union with the bloc must be implemented to help solve the migrant issue. Also Read: Turkish President Erdogan to discuss migrant issues with EU on Monday Late on Monday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan left meetings in Brussels with European Union and NATO leaders without issuing a joint statement nor appearing at a joint press conference, as had been planned.

Migrant deal with European Union needs to be updated: Turkey

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday repeated his call for more help in coping with the millions of refugees it hosts from neighbouring war-torn Syria even as he said that he would be meeting European Union officials on Monday to discuss migration.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday repeated his call for more help in coping with the millions of refugees it hosts from neighbouring war-torn Syria even as he said that he would be meeting European Union officials on Monday to discuss migration. Saddled with the influx of Syrians fleeing the fighting, Turkey recently said it would no longer abide by a 2016 deal to prevent them from travelling on to the EU. "We were hoping to get much more support from international community when it comes to refugees. I have a meeting with European Union officials tomorrow in Belgium. We will discuss these issues," Erdogan said in a speech in Istanbul. Also read | Greece migrant crisis: Tense situation on the Greek-Turkish border Turkey hosts some 3.6 million refugees from southern neighbour Syria, where civil war has been raging since 2011. "We have fulfilled the obligations of the agreement we have made with the EU. However, the EU did not fulfil its commitments except for minimal contributions ... I hope we will get different results this time," Erdogan said. Under the 2016 deal, the EU were to provide 6 billion euros ($6.8 billion) to help Turkey finance housing, schools and medical centres for the refugees. Turkey says the EU has failed to honour promises including visa-free travel for Turkish citizens and an enhanced customs union. Ankara also wants more European support in Syria, where its troops are supporting rebels against Russian-backed Syrian government forces.

Turkish President Erdogan to discuss migrant issues with EU on Monday

Stop migrants crossing in Aegean Sea: Erdogan to Turkey coastguard

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Stop migrants crossing in Aegean Sea: Erdogan to Turkey coastguard As Greece faced fresh violence on its borders on Saturday, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the Turkish coastguard to prevent migrants crossing the Aegean sea.

Stop migrants crossing in Aegean Sea: Erdogan to Turkey coastguard As Greece faced fresh violence on its borders on Saturday, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the Turkish coastguard to prevent migrants crossing the Aegean sea. Read More US Congress report faults Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing for 737 Max crashes In a 13-page report, a US congressional committee said Federal Aviation Administration(FAA) and Boeing missed "multiple red flags and clear data points”. Read More Melania Trump tweets about White House tennis pavilion as US battles coronavirus US First lady Melania Trump shared with her social media followers the status on the construction of a new White House tennis pavilion. Read More Tourism industry across the world takes a hit as COVID-19 spreads more widely The global tourism industry is the worst affected due to COVID-19 as the breakout of coronavirus has turned businesses upside down. Read More Senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards killed in Syria: Report A senior member of Iran's Revolutionary Guards, Farhad Dabirian, was "martyred" in Syria on Friday, Fars news agency reported, without giving details of how he died. Read More Philippines' Duterte to declare public health emergency to combat coronavirus Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte plans to declare a nationwide public health emergency following confirmation of the country's first community transmission of the disease, the presidential aide said on Saturday. Read More Former Barcelona forward Ronaldinho arrested in Paraguay Former Brazil and Barcelona forward Ronaldinho Gaucho was arrested in Paraguay on Friday for attempting to enter the country with an adulterated passport, Paraguayan police said. Read More Trump replaces acting chief of staff Mulvaney with North Carolina lawmaker President Donald Trump parted ways on Friday with acting White House chief of staff Mick Mulvaney and replaced him with conservative lawmaker and close ally Mark Meadows, who was a strong Trump defender during the Democratic impeachment drive. Read More Saudi Arabia detains two senior royals, including king's brother: Report Saudi Arabia has detained two senior members of the Saudi royal family Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, the younger brother of King Salman, and Mohammed bin Nayef, the king's nephew, two sources with knowledge of the matter said. Read More Coronavirus may cause $61 million loss to Pakistan: ADB Cash strapped Pakistan may face losses up to $ 61 million due to the deadly coronavirus outbreak, the ADB has said in its assessment report on the impact of the novel COVID-19 outbreak. Read More

Top 10 world news today: Erdogan on migrants, Iran army member killed in Syria & more!

Turkey and Russia agreed to a cease-fire agreement in Syria's Idlib region on Thursday after talks in Moscow by their two leaders said a conflict that displaced nearly a million people in three months.

Turkey, Russia announces Idlib ceasefire after Moscow meeting between Erdogan & Putin

Syria's war-ravaged northwest woke up to relative calm Friday, its skies free of warplanes for the first day in months, following a Russian-Turkish ceasefire deal.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group and sources in Idlib province said the truce that came into force at midnight appeared to be holding.

Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman reported "a complete absence of regime and Russian warplanes in the Idlib airspace".

He said an exchange of fire that did not cause any casualties took place before dawn but added that belligerents on Friday seemed to be observing the ceasefire.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-erdogan-seek-to-ease-syria-tensions-at-high-stakes-talks-284398">Putin, Erdogan seek to ease Syria tensions at high-stakes talks</a>

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two main foreign brokers in the nine-year-old conflict, reached a deal after hours of talks in Moscow on Thursday.

The agreement will create a security corridor along the key M4 highway in northern Syria, where Turkish and Russian forces will launch joint patrols later this month.

Putin told a joint news conference after the talks that the agreement would "serve as a good basis for ending fighting" in Idlib and for "stopping the suffering of the civilian population".

A Russian-backed government offensive on the last rebel bastion in the country has killed hundreds of civilians since December and displaced close to a million people.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/syrian-air-defence-responds-to-israeli-missiles-report-284433">Syrian air defence responds to 'Israeli missiles': Report</a>

The crisis it has sparked on Turkey's doorstep has been described by the United Nations as the worst humanitarian emergency yet since the start of the war in 2011.

Tensions had risen in recent weeks between Damascus and Turkey, which has had troops in northern Syria since 2016 and backs rebel groups.

A regime strike last month in Idlib resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers, the heaviest loss of personnel for Ankara since its military intervention in Syria.

Turkey's reply has been bruising, with devastating drone and rocket strikes destroying regime positions and military equipment and killing dozens of government troops.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-russia-have-agreed-on-syria-ceasefire-from-midnight-president-erdogan-284594">Turkey, Russia have agreed on Syria ceasefire from midnight: President Erdogan</a>

The joint Russian-Turkish patrols will operate between the town of Tronba in Idlib and a village in Latakia province, a regime stronghold.

These patrols, which will mark the first time Russian and Turkish forces operate jointly in Idlib, are due to start on March 15.

On that day, the conflict which has killed close to 400,000 people and displaced half of the population of Syria, will enter its tenth year.

Syria's war-ravaged northwest woke up to relative calm Friday, its skies free of warplanes for the first day in months, following a Russian-Turkish ceasefire deal.

Syria's war-ravaged northwest woke up to relative calm Friday, its skies free of warplanes for the first day in months, following a Russian-Turkish ceasefire deal. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group and sources in Idlib province said the truce that came into force at midnight appeared to be holding. Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman reported "a complete absence of regime and Russian warplanes in the Idlib airspace". He said an exchange of fire that did not cause any casualties took place before dawn but added that belligerents on Friday seemed to be observing the ceasefire. Also read: Putin, Erdogan seek to ease Syria tensions at high-stakes talks Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the two main foreign brokers in the nine-year-old conflict, reached a deal after hours of talks in Moscow on Thursday. The agreement will create a security corridor along the key M4 highway in northern Syria, where Turkish and Russian forces will launch joint patrols later this month. Putin told a joint news conference after the talks that the agreement would "serve as a good basis for ending fighting" in Idlib and for "stopping the suffering of the civilian population". A Russian-backed government offensive on the last rebel bastion in the country has killed hundreds of civilians since December and displaced close to a million people. Also see: Syrian air defence responds to 'Israeli missiles': Report The crisis it has sparked on Turkey's doorstep has been described by the United Nations as the worst humanitarian emergency yet since the start of the war in 2011. Tensions had risen in recent weeks between Damascus and Turkey, which has had troops in northern Syria since 2016 and backs rebel groups. A regime strike last month in Idlib resulted in the deaths of 34 Turkish soldiers, the heaviest loss of personnel for Ankara since its military intervention in Syria. Turkey's reply has been bruising, with devastating drone and rocket strikes destroying regime positions and military equipment and killing dozens of government troops. Also read: Turkey, Russia have agreed on Syria ceasefire from midnight: President Erdogan The joint Russian-Turkish patrols will operate between the town of Tronba in Idlib and a village in Latakia province, a regime stronghold. These patrols, which will mark the first time Russian and Turkish forces operate jointly in Idlib, are due to start on March 15. On that day, the conflict which has killed close to 400,000 people and displaced half of the population of Syria, will enter its tenth year.

Rare calm in Syria's Idlib after ceasefire deal

The Eastern Mediterranean has become a flash-point for the meshing of geopolitics, the struggle for regional hegemony, battles for control of resources, religious soft power rivalry, and blatant interference in the politics of others.

The complex and dangerous juxtaposition of multiple conflicting interests broadens the focus beyond Russia when it comes to meddling in elections, to include countries like Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. It blurs the lines between multiple conflicts such as the wars in Syria and Libya and the struggle for control of the Eastern Mediterranean’s newly found gas deposits. And it positions contested waters as the latest venue in which Russia and the West battle for influence.

Laying bare the multiple disputes being fought on the back of the Eastern Mediterranean with its natural gas reserves of 122 trillion cubic feet resembles peeling an onion.&nbsp;

Lining up on opposing sides are Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern Mediterranean nations, Gulf states, Turkey, Russia, and Europe.

Perhaps, most fundamental is the degree to which Europe going forward will be able to reduce its dependence on Russian gas imports. Russia currently satisfies approximately 40 per cent of the European Union’s gas needs.

The ability to reduce Russian imports with gas from the Eastern Mediterranean potentially would allow Europe to adopt a more forceful stand in the struggle between Western liberalism and Russian civilisationalism that is likely to shape new world order.

EU dependence has so far prompted European nations to temper their defence of Western values against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s civilizational policies that include territory grabs in the Caucasus and Ukraine, intimidation of Central Asian nations, and support for Western far-right, neo-Nazi, and anti-immigration forces designed to weaken liberal democracy and strengthen groups more empathetic to the Russian leader’s worldview.

“The bad news is that the Moscow-Washington confrontation will continue; the good news is that there will be some guardrails built around it. . . .The Eastern Mediterranean, however, is emerging as an area where Russia, again, is competing with the West,” said Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Center.

Trenin argued that it was the Eastern Mediterranean rather than Ukraine, Crimea, the Baltics, the Arctic, or south-eastern Europe where the tension could flare the most.

If for some nations like Greece, Cyprus, and Lebanon the struggle to control the Eastern Mediterranean’s resources is primarily about economics, for others, including Egypt and Israel it’s about projecting power. That is no truer than for Russia and Turkey, even if their interests against the backdrop of recently diverging positions on the battlefields of Libya and Syria, may differ rather than converge.

Turkey raised the stakes with its military backing of Libya’s internationally recognised Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi, Egyptian, and Russian-backed rebel leader Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA).

A GNA-Turkish maritime agreement that created an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Eastern Mediterranean favouring expansive Turkish claims and the building of relations between Khalifa Haftar and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad link the war in Syria to the Eastern Mediterranean and the fighting in Libya. All at a time when Turkey and Russia manoeuvre to avoid a direct military clash in Idlib, the last stronghold of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (SNA) rebels against Russian-backed Syrian government forces.

The economic zone, or EEZ, would block a planned pipeline that would link the EU to Israeli and Cypriot gas supplies.

If successfully enforced, the zone, coupled with Turkey’s military performance in Syria with the downing of three Syrian warplanes in as many days, would signal to regional hegemonic hopefuls, namely Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that financial muscle may not be enough to impose their will.

Ironically, one key to accommodation that could have reduced the risk of the ideological and geopolitical fuse blowing up and may have contributed to creating an environment of cooperation rather than confrontation lies on the divided island of Cyprus.

Turkey, beyond insisting that Turkish participation is a sine-qua-non for any successful exploitation of Eastern Mediterranean gas, has opposed a role for predominantly Greek-Cypriot Cyprus without the inclusion of the island’s self-declared independent Turkish Cypriot north.

Turkey, which has troops in the north ever since it invaded the island in 1974, is the only country to have recognised the region as an independent state.

The idea of including northern Cyprus may be a pie in the sky in an environment in which geopolitics is a zero-sum game with civilizationalists, nationalists, and autocrats leaving little space for power-sharing. And Europe is too preoccupied with internal problems, and most recently with a new looming Syrian refugee crisis, to project a cohesive and inclusive policy approach.

Scholar and commentator Hussein Ibish cautioned that “All the elements that have compelled the parties to the eastern Mediterranean natural gas competition to develop local alliances that are increasingly melding with other strategic, diplomatic, and political contests appears likely to continue.”

Ibish blamed tension in the Eastern Mediterranean on the “strongly pro-Islamist orientation” of Turkey as “a budding would-be regional economic and political hegemon” rather than on multiple would-be hegemons.

Nonetheless, his conclusion stands that in the Eastern Mediterranean “disputes arising over narrow issues such as natural gas reserves will continue to take on far broader significance.”

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

The Eastern Mediterranean has become a flash-point for the meshing of geopolitics, the struggle for regional hegemony, battles for control of resources, religious soft power rivalry, and blatant interference in the politics of others.

The Eastern Mediterranean has become a flash-point for the meshing of geopolitics, the struggle for regional hegemony, battles for control of resources, religious soft power rivalry, and blatant interference in the politics of others. The complex and dangerous juxtaposition of multiple conflicting interests broadens the focus beyond Russia when it comes to meddling in elections, to include countries like Turkey, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. It blurs the lines between multiple conflicts such as the wars in Syria and Libya and the struggle for control of the Eastern Mediterranean’s newly found gas deposits. And it positions contested waters as the latest venue in which Russia and the West battle for influence. Laying bare the multiple disputes being fought on the back of the Eastern Mediterranean with its natural gas reserves of 122 trillion cubic feet resembles peeling an onion. Lining up on opposing sides are Middle Eastern, North African, and Eastern Mediterranean nations, Gulf states, Turkey, Russia, and Europe. Perhaps, most fundamental is the degree to which Europe going forward will be able to reduce its dependence on Russian gas imports. Russia currently satisfies approximately 40 per cent of the European Union’s gas needs. The ability to reduce Russian imports with gas from the Eastern Mediterranean potentially would allow Europe to adopt a more forceful stand in the struggle between Western liberalism and Russian civilisationalism that is likely to shape new world order. EU dependence has so far prompted European nations to temper their defence of Western values against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s civilizational policies that include territory grabs in the Caucasus and Ukraine, intimidation of Central Asian nations, and support for Western far-right, neo-Nazi, and anti-immigration forces designed to weaken liberal democracy and strengthen groups more empathetic to the Russian leader’s worldview. “The bad news is that the Moscow-Washington confrontation will continue; the good news is that there will be some guardrails built around it. . . .The Eastern Mediterranean, however, is emerging as an area where Russia, again, is competing with the West,” said Dmitri Trenin, head of the Carnegie Moscow Center. Trenin argued that it was the Eastern Mediterranean rather than Ukraine, Crimea, the Baltics, the Arctic, or south-eastern Europe where the tension could flare the most. If for some nations like Greece, Cyprus, and Lebanon the struggle to control the Eastern Mediterranean’s resources is primarily about economics, for others, including Egypt and Israel it’s about projecting power. That is no truer than for Russia and Turkey, even if their interests against the backdrop of recently diverging positions on the battlefields of Libya and Syria, may differ rather than converge. Turkey raised the stakes with its military backing of Libya’s internationally recognised Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi, Egyptian, and Russian-backed rebel leader Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA). A GNA-Turkish maritime agreement that created an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Eastern Mediterranean favouring expansive Turkish claims and the building of relations between Khalifa Haftar and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad link the war in Syria to the Eastern Mediterranean and the fighting in Libya. All at a time when Turkey and Russia manoeuvre to avoid a direct military clash in Idlib, the last stronghold of the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (SNA) rebels against Russian-backed Syrian government forces. The economic zone, or EEZ, would block a planned pipeline that would link the EU to Israeli and Cypriot gas supplies. If successfully enforced, the zone, coupled with Turkey’s military performance in Syria with the downing of three Syrian warplanes in as many days, would signal to regional hegemonic hopefuls, namely Saudi Arabia and the UAE, that financial muscle may not be enough to impose their will. Ironically, one key to accommodation that could have reduced the risk of the ideological and geopolitical fuse blowing up and may have contributed to creating an environment of cooperation rather than confrontation lies on the divided island of Cyprus. Turkey, beyond insisting that Turkish participation is a sine-qua-non for any successful exploitation of Eastern Mediterranean gas, has opposed a role for predominantly Greek-Cypriot Cyprus without the inclusion of the island’s self-declared independent Turkish Cypriot north. Turkey, which has troops in the north ever since it invaded the island in 1974, is the only country to have recognised the region as an independent state. The idea of including northern Cyprus may be a pie in the sky in an environment in which geopolitics is a zero-sum game with civilizationalists, nationalists, and autocrats leaving little space for power-sharing. And Europe is too preoccupied with internal problems, and most recently with a new looming Syrian refugee crisis, to project a cohesive and inclusive policy approach. Scholar and commentator Hussein Ibish cautioned that “All the elements that have compelled the parties to the eastern Mediterranean natural gas competition to develop local alliances that are increasingly melding with other strategic, diplomatic, and political contests appears likely to continue.” Ibish blamed tension in the Eastern Mediterranean on the “strongly pro-Islamist orientation” of Turkey as “a budding would-be regional economic and political hegemon” rather than on multiple would-be hegemons. Nonetheless, his conclusion stands that in the Eastern Mediterranean “disputes arising over narrow issues such as natural gas reserves will continue to take on far broader significance.” (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Eastern Mediterranean region: A microcosm of regional and global battles

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday he had rejected an EU offer of an additional one billion euros to help deal with the roughly four million refugees it houses.

Turkey rejected $1.1B aid from EU: Erdogan

Tensions are running very high between Turkey and Russia-backed Syria. Syrian government forces are intensifying attacks on a Turkey-backed rebel stronghold.

The prospect of an all-out war leaves millions of Syrian civilians trapped in the middle. Two nights ago, thousands of Syrian refugees were pushing against the fence at the Greek border.

The Greek police deployed its anti-riot squad and fired tear gas against the refugees, including women and children, who were all stuck in the no man's land.

So, once the land routes were shut, they set sail in dinghies to the Greek islands. But, a Syrian boy has died after one of the rubber dinghies capsized. He is the first casualty of a fresh wave of migration.

It brings back haunting memories of the Syrian toddler, whose dead body washed up on a Turkish beach in 2015. The refugees can't return to their homes anytime soon

Turkey and Syria are locked in a bitter tit-for-tat conflict in the North-Eastern Syrian province of Idlib.

Amid heavy Russian bombardment, clashes are continuing between Syrian government forces and armed rebel groups in the province. Street battles in the key town of Saracen continue - neither side is able to hold the city.

But, Bashar al-Assad has pledged to 'confront the flagrant Turkish aggression'. It all began when the forces loyal to the Syrian government attacked the last rebel stronghold in Idlib.&nbsp;

Turkey immediately intervened for two reasons - first, the Syrian offensive triggered the largest single wave of displacement in the nine-year war.&nbsp;

It sent 9,50,000 Syrian refugees towards the Turkish border. Turkey already hosts 4.1 million refugees, including 3.7 million Syrians. So, it said it can't allow any more refugees to enter its borders.

Second, Turkey backs some rebel groups in Syria, so it sent tanks and troops as reinforcement to counter the Syrian offensive.&nbsp;

Idlib was designated a de-escalation&nbsp;zone in a 2018 agreement between Turkey and Russia, who back opposing sides and Ankara has repeatedly demanded that al-Assad's forces withdraw behind a line determined by Turkey.

Although Turkey showed restraint initially, it vowed revenge when Turkish soldiers were killed in a Syrian bombardment. In a recent attack, Turkey lost 34 soldiers to an airstrike, allegedly carried out by Syria. This provoked President Erdogan to threaten Russia and Syria to fall behind the line or face a ruthless offensive.

This raises the risk of direct military confrontation between Turkey and Russia. The prospect of an all-out war leaves millions of Syrian civilians trapped in the middle. The movement of migrants to the West could continue if the situation in Idlib deteriorates further.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour, and as always, civilians are paying the gravest price.

Tensions are running very high between Turkey and Russia-backed Syria. Syrian government forces are intensifying attacks on a Turkey-backed rebel stronghold. The prospect of an all-out war leaves millions of Syrian civilians trapped in the middle.

Tensions are running very high between Turkey and Russia-backed Syria. Syrian government forces are intensifying attacks on a Turkey-backed rebel stronghold. The prospect of an all-out war leaves millions of Syrian civilians trapped in the middle. Two nights ago, thousands of Syrian refugees were pushing against the fence at the Greek border. The Greek police deployed its anti-riot squad and fired tear gas against the refugees, including women and children, who were all stuck in the no man's land. So, once the land routes were shut, they set sail in dinghies to the Greek islands. But, a Syrian boy has died after one of the rubber dinghies capsized. He is the first casualty of a fresh wave of migration. It brings back haunting memories of the Syrian toddler, whose dead body washed up on a Turkish beach in 2015. The refugees can't return to their homes anytime soon Turkey and Syria are locked in a bitter tit-for-tat conflict in the North-Eastern Syrian province of Idlib. Amid heavy Russian bombardment, clashes are continuing between Syrian government forces and armed rebel groups in the province. Street battles in the key town of Saracen continue - neither side is able to hold the city. But, Bashar al-Assad has pledged to 'confront the flagrant Turkish aggression'. It all began when the forces loyal to the Syrian government attacked the last rebel stronghold in Idlib. Turkey immediately intervened for two reasons - first, the Syrian offensive triggered the largest single wave of displacement in the nine-year war. It sent 9,50,000 Syrian refugees towards the Turkish border. Turkey already hosts 4.1 million refugees, including 3.7 million Syrians. So, it said it can't allow any more refugees to enter its borders. Second, Turkey backs some rebel groups in Syria, so it sent tanks and troops as reinforcement to counter the Syrian offensive. Idlib was designated a de-escalation zone in a 2018 agreement between Turkey and Russia, who back opposing sides and Ankara has repeatedly demanded that al-Assad's forces withdraw behind a line determined by Turkey. Although Turkey showed restraint initially, it vowed revenge when Turkish soldiers were killed in a Syrian bombardment. In a recent attack, Turkey lost 34 soldiers to an airstrike, allegedly carried out by Syria. This provoked President Erdogan to threaten Russia and Syria to fall behind the line or face a ruthless offensive. This raises the risk of direct military confrontation between Turkey and Russia. The prospect of an all-out war leaves millions of Syrian civilians trapped in the middle. The movement of migrants to the West could continue if the situation in Idlib deteriorates further. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the risk of even greater escalation grows by the hour, and as always, civilians are paying the gravest price.

Civilians pay the gravest price as war in Syria escalates

A Turkish fighter jet downed a Syrian regime&nbsp;warplane over the northwestern Idlib province Tuesday, the&nbsp;Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war&nbsp;monitor said, in the third such downing in three days.

Turkey on Sunday confirmed it had launched a military operation against Russia-backed regime forces in the border region, where Ankara supports some rebel groups.

Syrian state news agency SANA said one of its planes was "targeted" after two others were shot down on Sunday.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-forces-down-syrian-planes-over-idlib-report-283587">Turkish forces down Syrian planes over Idlib: Report</a>

Turkey confirmed the downing of an L-39&nbsp;jet.

"As part of the Spring Shield operation that is successfully continuing, an L-39 plane belonging to the regime has been downed," the Turkish defence ministry said.

The Observatory said the regime plane was brought down by a Turkish F-16 and crashed to the ground in a regime-held area south of the embattled rebel bastion.

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-european-union-envoy-heads-to-turkey-for-syrian-refugee-talks-283921">Top European Union envoy heads to Turkey for Syrian refugee talks</a>

The fate of the crew was not immediately clear, the Britain-based Observatory said.

Regime forces have since December been battling to retake the last major opposition bastion of Idlib from rebels and jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate.

The Turkish operation came after an airstrike on Thursday blamed on Damascus killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the region.

Watch: 

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The Observatory says 93 regime soldiers have been killed in Turkish bombardment since Friday along with 10 fighters of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah and four pro-Iranian fighters.

On Sunday, Damascus claimed to have brought down three Turkish drones over the region.

The&nbsp;Syrian conflict has killed more than 380,000 people since it began in 2011 and displaced millions.

A Turkish fighter jet downed a Syrian regime warplane over the northwestern Idlib province Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said, in the third such downing in three days.

A Turkish fighter jet downed a Syrian regime warplane over the northwestern Idlib province Tuesday, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said, in the third such downing in three days. Turkey on Sunday confirmed it had launched a military operation against Russia-backed regime forces in the border region, where Ankara supports some rebel groups. Syrian state news agency SANA said one of its planes was "targeted" after two others were shot down on Sunday. Also read: Turkish forces down Syrian planes over Idlib: Report Turkey confirmed the downing of an L-39 jet. "As part of the Spring Shield operation that is successfully continuing, an L-39 plane belonging to the regime has been downed," the Turkish defence ministry said. The Observatory said the regime plane was brought down by a Turkish F-16 and crashed to the ground in a regime-held area south of the embattled rebel bastion. Also see: Top European Union envoy heads to Turkey for Syrian refugee talks The fate of the crew was not immediately clear, the Britain-based Observatory said. Regime forces have since December been battling to retake the last major opposition bastion of Idlib from rebels and jihadists linked to Syria's former Al-Qaeda affiliate. The Turkish operation came after an airstrike on Thursday blamed on Damascus killed 34 Turkish soldiers in the region. Watch: × The Observatory says 93 regime soldiers have been killed in Turkish bombardment since Friday along with 10 fighters of the Lebanese Shiite movement Hezbollah and four pro-Iranian fighters. On Sunday, Damascus claimed to have brought down three Turkish drones over the region. The Syrian conflict has killed more than 380,000 people since it began in 2011 and displaced millions.

Turkey fighter jet downs Syrian warplane over Idlib: Monitor

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday slammed Turkey for trying to "blackmail" the EU by opening its borders to thousands of refugees seeking to flee to Europe.

"It is an attack by Turkey against the European Union and Greece. People are being used to pressure Europe. The EU must not be susceptible to blackmail," Kurz told reporters.

Turkey has given a green light to refugees and migrants on its territory, many of them displaced Syrians, to leave for the European Union, in defiance of a 2016 deal to keep them in.

Kurz accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of luring people with "false promises" and transporting them to the Greek border from where they are seeking to enter Europe -- using them as a "weapon" to pressure the EU.

Kurz said it was a "test" for the EU to see whether it can protect its outer borders, saying Austria stood ready to support Greece and any other countries which may face an "onslaught".

"I can guarantee you one thing: if the outer borders of the EU don't work, then Europe without (inner) borders is history," he said.

"We must together make sure that year 2015 doesn't repeat itself," he added, referring to a surge in people entering the EU to seek asylum five years ago.

The conservative Kurz in January formed a government with the Greens after his coalition with the far-right broke apart after one and a half years when a corruption scandal engulfed his junior partner.

Kurz has promised to maintain his hardline stance on immigration even within the new coalition, with the Greens accepting it so far in exchange for being able to push their climate agenda.

On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said no one could "blackmail or intimidate the EU".

Ankara's move comes amid intense fighting in the Syrian region of Idlib between pro-government forces and jihadists and Ankara-backed rebels.&nbsp;

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday slammed Turkey for trying to "blackmail" the EU by opening its borders to thousands of refugees seeking to flee to Europe.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Tuesday slammed Turkey for trying to "blackmail" the EU by opening its borders to thousands of refugees seeking to flee to Europe. "It is an attack by Turkey against the European Union and Greece. People are being used to pressure Europe. The EU must not be susceptible to blackmail," Kurz told reporters. Turkey has given a green light to refugees and migrants on its territory, many of them displaced Syrians, to leave for the European Union, in defiance of a 2016 deal to keep them in. Kurz accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of luring people with "false promises" and transporting them to the Greek border from where they are seeking to enter Europe -- using them as a "weapon" to pressure the EU. Kurz said it was a "test" for the EU to see whether it can protect its outer borders, saying Austria stood ready to support Greece and any other countries which may face an "onslaught". "I can guarantee you one thing: if the outer borders of the EU don't work, then Europe without (inner) borders is history," he said. "We must together make sure that year 2015 doesn't repeat itself," he added, referring to a surge in people entering the EU to seek asylum five years ago. The conservative Kurz in January formed a government with the Greens after his coalition with the far-right broke apart after one and a half years when a corruption scandal engulfed his junior partner. Kurz has promised to maintain his hardline stance on immigration even within the new coalition, with the Greens accepting it so far in exchange for being able to push their climate agenda. On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said no one could "blackmail or intimidate the EU". Ankara's move comes amid intense fighting in the Syrian region of Idlib between pro-government forces and jihadists and Ankara-backed rebels.

Austria slams Turkey for 'blackmailing' EU over migration

Refugees stream towards Greece after Turkey opens gates

The EU's top diplomat and its crisis-management chief set off for Turkey on Tuesday after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned he could allow millions of refugees to head for Europe.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-pursuing-military-operation-against-syrian-regime-283560">Turkey says pursuing military operation against Syrian regime</a>

EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner&nbsp;Janez Lenarcic will spend two days in the country for "high-level" meetings with Turkish officials on the Syrian crisis and the row about refugees and migrants.

Watch: Syria shuts down air space over Idlib

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"They will hold talks on the ongoing escalation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib and the humanitarian consequences for the civilian population on the ground, as well as the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey," Borrell's office said.

"During their visit to Ankara, they will meet with high-level interlocutors of the Turkish authorities."

After the talks in Ankara, Borrell will attend an EU foreign ministers meeting in Zagreb on March 5 and 6, and Lenarcic will visit refugee centres in Turkey's southeastern province of Gaziantep.

The visit comes amid intense fighting in the Syrian city of Idlib between pro-government forces and Turkish-backed rebels, and after Erdogan escalated the refugee dispute with Brussels.&nbsp;

Turkey has given a green light to refugees and migrants on its territory, many of them displaced Syrians, to leave for the European Union, in defiance of a 2016 deal to keep them.

On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could "blackmail or intimidate the EU".

The EU's top diplomat and its crisis-management chief set off for Turkey on Tuesday after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned he could allow millions of refugees to head for Europe.

The EU's top diplomat and its crisis-management chief set off for Turkey on Tuesday after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned he could allow millions of refugees to head for Europe. Also read: Turkey says pursuing military operation against Syrian regime EU High Representative Josep Borrell and Commissioner Janez Lenarcic will spend two days in the country for "high-level" meetings with Turkish officials on the Syrian crisis and the row about refugees and migrants. Watch: Syria shuts down air space over Idlib "They will hold talks on the ongoing escalation in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib and the humanitarian consequences for the civilian population on the ground, as well as the situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey," Borrell's office said. "During their visit to Ankara, they will meet with high-level interlocutors of the Turkish authorities." After the talks in Ankara, Borrell will attend an EU foreign ministers meeting in Zagreb on March 5 and 6, and Lenarcic will visit refugee centres in Turkey's southeastern province of Gaziantep. The visit comes amid intense fighting in the Syrian city of Idlib between pro-government forces and Turkish-backed rebels, and after Erdogan escalated the refugee dispute with Brussels. Turkey has given a green light to refugees and migrants on its territory, many of them displaced Syrians, to leave for the European Union, in defiance of a 2016 deal to keep them. On Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel described Turkey's move as "unacceptable" and EU migration commissioner Margaritis Schinas said nobody could "blackmail or intimidate the EU".

Top European Union envoy heads to Turkey for Syrian refugee talks

The Syrian government has closed airspace over northwest Idlib amid conflicting reports of a plane shot down over the region.

Syria shuts down air space over Idlib

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Russia on Thursday for a summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the mounting tensions in Syria, his office said Monday.&nbsp;

"The president is due to pay a one-day visit to Russia on March 5," the Turkish presidency said in a statement.&nbsp;

Turkey confirmed on Sunday that it had launched a full military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces following increasing clashes in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkish-drones-kill-19-syrian-government-soldiers-as-tensions-soar-283645">Turkish drones kill 19 Syrian government soldiers as tensions soar</a>

Ankara, which backs Islamist fighters in the province, killed 19 Syrian soldiers in drone strikes on Sunday and downed two regime planes.&nbsp;

But it remains determined to avoid direct clashes with Moscow, with which it shares significant defense and trade ties.

Despite being on opposing sides of the conflict, Turkey and Russia have coordinated closely in the past.&nbsp;

Also see: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/refugees-stream-towards-greece-after-turkey-opens-gates-283696">Refugees stream towards Greece after Turkey opens gates</a>

They secured a deal in Sochi in 2018 that led to Turkey establishing 12 military observation posts in Idlib to prevent a Syrian offensive and a fresh flood of refugees into Turkish territory.&nbsp;

But Syria and Russia look increasingly determined to regain full control of the area and an offensive launched in December has displaced close to a million civilians, and seen increasing clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces.&nbsp;

The latest escalation followed the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers last week in an airstrike blamed on Damascus.

&nbsp;

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Russia on Thursday for a summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the mounting tensions in Syria, his office said Monday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Russia on Thursday for a summit with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to discuss the mounting tensions in Syria, his office said Monday. "The president is due to pay a one-day visit to Russia on March 5," the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Turkey confirmed on Sunday that it had launched a full military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces following increasing clashes in the last rebel stronghold of Idlib. Also read: Turkish drones kill 19 Syrian government soldiers as tensions soar Ankara, which backs Islamist fighters in the province, killed 19 Syrian soldiers in drone strikes on Sunday and downed two regime planes. But it remains determined to avoid direct clashes with Moscow, with which it shares significant defense and trade ties. Despite being on opposing sides of the conflict, Turkey and Russia have coordinated closely in the past. Also see: Refugees stream towards Greece after Turkey opens gates They secured a deal in Sochi in 2018 that led to Turkey establishing 12 military observation posts in Idlib to prevent a Syrian offensive and a fresh flood of refugees into Turkish territory. But Syria and Russia look increasingly determined to regain full control of the area and an offensive launched in December has displaced close to a million civilians, and seen increasing clashes between Turkish and Syrian forces. The latest escalation followed the killing of 34 Turkish soldiers last week in an airstrike blamed on Damascus.

Turkish President Erdogan to meet Putin in Russia for Syria talks: Turkish presidency

The tensions continue to escalate in West Asia as Tukey and Syria have intensified their operations in the Idlib province. In the latest development, their multiple airstrikes by Turkey have claimed the lives of at least about 19 Syrian soldiers. Watch report:

Syrian civil war: Turkish airstrikes kill 19 Syrian soldiers

As the war rages on in Northern Syria, Europe is suffering from yet another refugee crisis. The situation at the greek border remains uncertain. Hundreds of Syrian refugees have been attempting to cross over after Turkey announced that it would allow passage into Europe. Greece has denied taking in the migrants and has warned of strong action if people try to cross over illegally.

Greek police fire tear gas at refugees, trying to strop them from entering illegally

Turkey shot down two Syrian warplanes on Sunday in an escalating offensive against the Damascus regime as Ankara pressured Europe over the conflict by opening its border for migrants to cross into the continent.

Following weeks of violence in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-says-pursuing-military-operation-against-syrian-regime-283560">Turkey confirmed a full military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces</a> after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed last week in an air strike blamed on Damascus.

Tensions have intensified between Russia and Turkey -- who back opposing forces in the Syria's civil war -- but Ankara has insisted it does not want to clash directly with Moscow.

"One anti-aircraft system that shot down one of our armed drones and two other anti-aircraft systems have been destroyed, and two SU-24 regime planes that were attacking our aircraft have been downed," Turkey's defence ministry said in a statement.

Syrian state media said Turkish forces "targeted" two of its planes over Idlib. A rebel group and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, both said the planes had been downed.

The situation in rebel-held Idlib was already volatile as the regime supported by Russian air power pressed an assault on the region in a bid to retake the last opposition enclave in a nine-year civil war.

The confrontation between the Russia-backed Syrian forces and NATO-member Turkey, which supports Syrian rebels, has prompted worries over a wider conflict and a migrant crisis in Europe similar to 2015.&nbsp;

Migrant numbers have already surged along the rugged frontier after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking to pressure the EU over Syria, said the country had "opened the doors" to Europe.

Greece said Sunday it has blocked nearly 10,000 migrants at its border with Turkey.

As migrant boats continued to land on Greek islands, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar announced "operation 'Spring Shield'" for the first time, adding it "successfully continues" after the attack last week killed 34 Turkish troops.

Turkish forces hit Syrian regime positions after Erdogan warned Damascus would "pay a price" for the air strike.

Under a 2018 deal with Russia meant to bring calm to Idlib, Turkey has 12 observation posts in Syria -- but several have come under fire from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces.

Turkey wants the international community to establish a no-fly zone over Idlib, where Islamist fighters backed by Ankara pose the biggest obstacle to Damascus seizing back control over all of Syria.

SANA Syrian state media reported the regime shot down a Turkish drone near the town of Saraqeb, publishing footage of an aircraft tumbling from the sky in flames. Those images could not be immediately confirmed.

But Turkish defence ministry confirmed one of its drones was shot down.

Moscow meeting?

Earlier on Sunday, Istanbul police detained the editor-in-chief of the Turkish version of Russia's Sputnik website as its offices were being searched in Istanbul.

Three of its journalists were also taken to a courthouse in Ankara for questioning, likely related to a Sputnik article in English claiming Turkey's Hatay province was "stolen" from Syria. Colonial power France ceded the southern region to Turkey in 1938.

The news website later said they had been released.

Turkish media reported on Sunday that Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet in Moscow on March 5. They already spoke by telephone last week when both expressed "concern" over the escalation.

The Russian and Turkish foreign ministers also spoke by telephone on Sunday, Moscow's ministry said, to discuss preparations for the meeting between the two leaders, and the safety of the Sputnik journalists.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said he "hoped" the meeting would be on Thursday or Friday.

"It will undoubtedly be a difficult meeting, but the leaders confirmed their wish to resolve the situation in Idlib. It's important," Peskov said on Sunday.

Protecting borders

Some 13,000 migrants have amassed at the Turkey-Greece border, including families with young children who spent the night in the cold, the International Organization for Migration said.&nbsp;

An estimated additional 2,000 migrants arrived at the Pazarkule border gate Sunday, including Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis, according to an AFP reporter.&nbsp;

But as the crowds rushed to enter Europe, Greek police and soldiers blocked 9,972 "illegal entrances" from entering the northeastern Evros region in the past 24 hours, a Greek government source said.&nbsp;

The UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch called for "calm and easing of tensions on the border," as he urged countries to "refrain from the use of excessive and disproportionate force".

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday said the EU was watching "with concern" and stood ready to deploy its Frontex border guard agency.

The developments recalled events in 2015 when over a million migrants fled to Europe, mainly via Greece in what became the continent's worst refugee crisis since the Second World War.

The EU's commissioner for migration, Margaritis Schinas, tweeted Sunday he had requested an extraordinary meeting of EU interior ministers to discuss the situation.

Erdogan said Turkey, home to some 3.6 million refugees, did not plan to close the borders because "the (EU) should keep its promises".

He was referring to the 2016 deal with Brussels to stop the flow of refugees in exchange for billions of euros.

burs-raz/

Turkey shot down two Syrian warplanes on Sunday in an escalating offensive against the Damascus regime as Ankara pressured Europe over the conflict by opening its border for migrants to cross into the continent.

Turkey shot down two Syrian warplanes on Sunday in an escalating offensive against the Damascus regime as Ankara pressured Europe over the conflict by opening its border for migrants to cross into the continent. Following weeks of violence in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, Turkey confirmed a full military operation against Russian-backed Syrian forces after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed last week in an air strike blamed on Damascus. Tensions have intensified between Russia and Turkey -- who back opposing forces in the Syria's civil war -- but Ankara has insisted it does not want to clash directly with Moscow. "One anti-aircraft system that shot down one of our armed drones and two other anti-aircraft systems have been destroyed, and two SU-24 regime planes that were attacking our aircraft have been downed," Turkey's defence ministry said in a statement. Syrian state media said Turkish forces "targeted" two of its planes over Idlib. A rebel group and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, both said the planes had been downed. The situation in rebel-held Idlib was already volatile as the regime supported by Russian air power pressed an assault on the region in a bid to retake the last opposition enclave in a nine-year civil war. The confrontation between the Russia-backed Syrian forces and NATO-member Turkey, which supports Syrian rebels, has prompted worries over a wider conflict and a migrant crisis in Europe similar to 2015. Migrant numbers have already surged along the rugged frontier after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, seeking to pressure the EU over Syria, said the country had "opened the doors" to Europe. Greece said Sunday it has blocked nearly 10,000 migrants at its border with Turkey. As migrant boats continued to land on Greek islands, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar announced "operation 'Spring Shield'" for the first time, adding it "successfully continues" after the attack last week killed 34 Turkish troops. Turkish forces hit Syrian regime positions after Erdogan warned Damascus would "pay a price" for the air strike. Under a 2018 deal with Russia meant to bring calm to Idlib, Turkey has 12 observation posts in Syria -- but several have come under fire from Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces. Turkey wants the international community to establish a no-fly zone over Idlib, where Islamist fighters backed by Ankara pose the biggest obstacle to Damascus seizing back control over all of Syria. SANA Syrian state media reported the regime shot down a Turkish drone near the town of Saraqeb, publishing footage of an aircraft tumbling from the sky in flames. Those images could not be immediately confirmed. But Turkish defence ministry confirmed one of its drones was shot down. Moscow meeting? Earlier on Sunday, Istanbul police detained the editor-in-chief of the Turkish version of Russia's Sputnik website as its offices were being searched in Istanbul. Three of its journalists were also taken to a courthouse in Ankara for questioning, likely related to a Sputnik article in English claiming Turkey's Hatay province was "stolen" from Syria. Colonial power France ceded the southern region to Turkey in 1938. The news website later said they had been released. Turkish media reported on Sunday that Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin would meet in Moscow on March 5. They already spoke by telephone last week when both expressed "concern" over the escalation. The Russian and Turkish foreign ministers also spoke by telephone on Sunday, Moscow's ministry said, to discuss preparations for the meeting between the two leaders, and the safety of the Sputnik journalists. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov said he "hoped" the meeting would be on Thursday or Friday. "It will undoubtedly be a difficult meeting, but the leaders confirmed their wish to resolve the situation in Idlib. It's important," Peskov said on Sunday. Protecting borders Some 13,000 migrants have amassed at the Turkey-Greece border, including families with young children who spent the night in the cold, the International Organization for Migration said. An estimated additional 2,000 migrants arrived at the Pazarkule border gate Sunday, including Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis, according to an AFP reporter. But as the crowds rushed to enter Europe, Greek police and soldiers blocked 9,972 "illegal entrances" from entering the northeastern Evros region in the past 24 hours, a Greek government source said. The UN refugee agency spokesman Babar Baloch called for "calm and easing of tensions on the border," as he urged countries to "refrain from the use of excessive and disproportionate force". European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday said the EU was watching "with concern" and stood ready to deploy its Frontex border guard agency. The developments recalled events in 2015 when over a million migrants fled to Europe, mainly via Greece in what became the continent's worst refugee crisis since the Second World War. The EU's commissioner for migration, Margaritis Schinas, tweeted Sunday he had requested an extraordinary meeting of EU interior ministers to discuss the situation. Erdogan said Turkey, home to some 3.6 million refugees, did not plan to close the borders because "the (EU) should keep its promises". He was referring to the 2016 deal with Brussels to stop the flow of refugees in exchange for billions of euros. burs-raz/

Turkey shoots down two Syria warplanes in escalating offensive

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has warned Russia to "get out of our way" in northern Syria as his forces fight President Bashar Al-Assad's regime.

Turkey warns Russia to 'get out of our way' in northern Syria

Turkey said Sunday it was continuing a military operation against the Russian-backed Syrian regime in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/33-turkish-soldiers-killed-in-airstrike-by-syrian-regime-forces-in-idlib-283217">Syria's northwestern Idlib region</a> but insisted it did not wish to clash with Moscow.

Though Turkey has reported striking targets in Syria since dozens of its troops were killed there Thursday, it was the first confirmation of a full and continuing operation.

"Following the heinous attack on February 27 in Idlib, operation 'Spring Shield' successfully continues," Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in a televised speech.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkeys-erdogan-asks-russias-putin-to-step-aside-in-syria-283496"> Turkey's Erdogan asks Russia's Putin to step aside in Syria</a>

"We don't have the desire or intention to clash with Russia," the minister added. Thirty-four Turkish troops have been killed in Syria since Thursday.

"Our intention is to stop the regime's massacres, and prevent... migration," he said.

"We expect Russia to stop the regime's attacks and to use their influence to ensure the regime withdraws to the borders of the Sochi agreement."

Turkey has 12 observation posts established in rebel-held Idlib following a 2018 deal between Ankara and Moscow signed in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/laughing-syrian-girl-from-viral-video-begins-new-life-in-turkey-283378">Laughing Syrian girl from viral video begins new life in Turkey</a>

But the regime recently has pressed ahead with an assault, killing hundreds of civilians and forcing nearly a million to flee from their homes in the region.

Rebel-supporter Turkey and Damascus ally Russia previously worked closely to prevent a regime offensive in Idlib despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year war.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month warned Damascus to get behind the agreed borders otherwise Ankara would use military force to push the regime back.

Akar said Turkish forces had destroyed dozens of tanks, helicopters and howitzers, adding 2,212 regime troops had been "neutralised".

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, 26 Syrian soldiers were killed in Turkish drone strikes on Saturday.

Erdogan on Saturday called on Russia to "get out of our way" in Idlib and leave Turkey "face to face with the regime" in Idlib.

The latest developments has strained relations between Ankara and Moscow but Erdogan will likely meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks on Thursday or Friday, according to the Kremlin.

Turkey said Sunday it was continuing a military operation against the Russian-backed Syrian regime in Syria's northwestern Idlib region but insisted it did not wish to clash with Moscow.

Turkey said Sunday it was continuing a military operation against the Russian-backed Syrian regime in Syria's northwestern Idlib region but insisted it did not wish to clash with Moscow. Though Turkey has reported striking targets in Syria since dozens of its troops were killed there Thursday, it was the first confirmation of a full and continuing operation. "Following the heinous attack on February 27 in Idlib, operation 'Spring Shield' successfully continues," Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said in a televised speech. Also read: Turkey's Erdogan asks Russia's Putin to step aside in Syria "We don't have the desire or intention to clash with Russia," the minister added. Thirty-four Turkish troops have been killed in Syria since Thursday. "Our intention is to stop the regime's massacres, and prevent... migration," he said. "We expect Russia to stop the regime's attacks and to use their influence to ensure the regime withdraws to the borders of the Sochi agreement." Turkey has 12 observation posts established in rebel-held Idlib following a 2018 deal between Ankara and Moscow signed in the Black Sea resort of Sochi. Also read: Laughing Syrian girl from viral video begins new life in Turkey But the regime recently has pressed ahead with an assault, killing hundreds of civilians and forcing nearly a million to flee from their homes in the region. Rebel-supporter Turkey and Damascus ally Russia previously worked closely to prevent a regime offensive in Idlib despite being on opposing sides of the nine-year war. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan last month warned Damascus to get behind the agreed borders otherwise Ankara would use military force to push the regime back. Akar said Turkish forces had destroyed dozens of tanks, helicopters and howitzers, adding 2,212 regime troops had been "neutralised". According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor, 26 Syrian soldiers were killed in Turkish drone strikes on Saturday. Erdogan on Saturday called on Russia to "get out of our way" in Idlib and leave Turkey "face to face with the regime" in Idlib. The latest developments has strained relations between Ankara and Moscow but Erdogan will likely meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for talks on Thursday or Friday, according to the Kremlin.

Turkey says pursuing military operation against Syrian regime

Migrants trickled through permeable borders to Greece from Turkey on Sunday as thousands gathered on the country's frontier seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement.

At first light, dozens of people in three dinghies made their way to the Aegean island of Lesbos, a Reuters witness said. Further north, groups waded across a river at Kastanies on the shared border.

There was tension at Kastanies on Saturday after riot police used teargas to repel hundreds of migrants on the Turkish side demanding access to Greece.

Turkey has said it will no longer restrain hundreds of thousands of migrants on its territory from reaching Europe, triggering an almost instant rush to the borders it shares with European Union member Greece.

"Yesterday there were 9,600 attempts to violate our borders, and all were dealt with successfully," deputy defence minister Alkiviadis Stefanis told Greece's Skai TV.

The International Organization for Migration put the number of people along the Greek-Turkish border at 13,000. By late Saturday, buses in Turkish cities were still being loaded with people bound for the border area, it said.

Greece has said there was an orchestrated attempt on its borders and has accused Turkey of actively guiding migrants.

"Not only are they not stopping them, but they are helping them," Stefanis told Skai.

Greece was a gateway for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers into Europe in 2015 and 2016. There are already more than 40,000 migrants on the Aegean islands, living in severely overcrowded camps and filthy conditions.

Last week, clashes broke out on Lesbos between riot police and locals to create closed detention centres to move the existing migrant population. Locals say the islands are suffering a disproportionate burden.

The European Union said it was supporting Greece.

Migrants trickled through permeable borders to Greece from Turkey on Sunday as thousands gathered on the country's frontier seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement.

Migrants trickled through permeable borders to Greece from Turkey on Sunday as thousands gathered on the country's frontier seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement. At first light, dozens of people in three dinghies made their way to the Aegean island of Lesbos, a Reuters witness said. Further north, groups waded across a river at Kastanies on the shared border. There was tension at Kastanies on Saturday after riot police used teargas to repel hundreds of migrants on the Turkish side demanding access to Greece. Turkey has said it will no longer restrain hundreds of thousands of migrants on its territory from reaching Europe, triggering an almost instant rush to the borders it shares with European Union member Greece. "Yesterday there were 9,600 attempts to violate our borders, and all were dealt with successfully," deputy defence minister Alkiviadis Stefanis told Greece's Skai TV. The International Organization for Migration put the number of people along the Greek-Turkish border at 13,000. By late Saturday, buses in Turkish cities were still being loaded with people bound for the border area, it said. Greece has said there was an orchestrated attempt on its borders and has accused Turkey of actively guiding migrants. "Not only are they not stopping them, but they are helping them," Stefanis told Skai. Greece was a gateway for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers into Europe in 2015 and 2016. There are already more than 40,000 migrants on the Aegean islands, living in severely overcrowded camps and filthy conditions. Last week, clashes broke out on Lesbos between riot police and locals to create closed detention centres to move the existing migrant population. Locals say the islands are suffering a disproportionate burden. The European Union said it was supporting Greece.

Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates

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