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Turkish Leader Threatens Action in Libya, Syria

Dorian Jones

   Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is threatening action in both
   Libya and Syria as rhetoric ramps up in the face of looming regional
   setbacks and growing frustrations with Moscow.

   Erdogan, addressing parliament Tuesday, issued a stark warning to
   Damascus not to violate the latest brokered cease-fire in Syrian
   rebel-controlled Idlib province.

   "We hope the cease-fire in Syria's Idlib is lasting. Turkey is
   determined to prevent (Syrian leader Bashar al-) Assad regime attacks
   in violation of the truce," said Erdogan to cheers from his
   parliamentary deputies.

   "Everyone should see and accept this is no joke.Turkey will absolutely
   do whatever it says it will do," he added.

   The Turkish president called on Damascus to allow 400,000 Syrians that
   had fled to Turkey's border to be allowed to return to their homes in
   Idlib.

   Turkey is currently hosting over 3.5 million Syrian refugees amid
   growing public discontent blamed in part for a series of humiliating
   election defeats for Erdogan's ruling AKP.

   Analysts say Erdogan is determined to prevent another exodus of Syrian
   refugees entering Turkey.

   Turkish military forces are deployed in Idlib as part of a previous
   agreement struck with Moscow to enforce a de-escalation zone.

   While Ankara backs Syrian rebels, the two countries are increasingly
   cooperating in Syria as part of a broader rapprochement.

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