A Assad regime offensive in northwestern Syria is pushing Turkey to use its right to self-defence and Ankara will take the necessary measures when needed, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday.
The Assad forces have encircled rebels and a Turkish military post in northwest Syria in an offensive to reclaim territory and towns they lost early in the war.
Speaking at a news conference in Moscow after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Erdoğan said the offensive by the regime troops disrupted the calm in the Idlib region established by Turkey and Russia, adding the attacks were unacceptable.
"The situation (in Idlib) has become so complicated that at this moment our troops are in danger," Erdoğan said at a joint press conference after talks near Moscow.
"We do not want this to continue. All necessary steps will be taken here as needed."
TURKEY TO CONTINUE DEFENCE COOPERATION WITH RUSSIA
Erdoğan said on Tuesday Turkey wants to continue defence industry cooperation with Russia, including cooperating on warplanes, after talks in Moscow with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Erdoğan spoke after the two leaders visited an air show outside the Russian capital where Sukhoi Su-57 stealth fighter jets performed demonstration flights. On Tuesday Turkey also took delivery of a second batch of Russian S-400 air defence equipment.
Earlier Tuesday, Erdoğan and Putin attended the inauguration ceremony of the International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2019, one of the world's leading events in its field.
Putin showed Erdoğan Su-57 fighter jet at the air show, the last generation Russian stealth aircraft. The leaders also examined Su-35 fighter jets, Ka-52 military helicopter and Mi-38 transport helicopter.
During the news conference, Putin said the two countries can conduct joint work on Su-35 fighter jets and cooperate on Su-57.
"We have many opportunities," he added.
