Davutoglu: Turkey not bound by Syria deal

Erdogan described as a “great lie” the notion that the Syrian Kurdish YPG militia, which is seen as a hostile insurgent force by Ankara but has enjoyed USA backing, was being given support because it was fighting Islamic State.

Speaking at a news briefing, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Mark Toner said on Friday the U.S. does not even contemplate designating the YPG as a terrorist group, against Turkey’s wishes, but said Washington is opposed to YPG moves to expand territory in an around Aleppo in northern Syria.

The U.S.is “very sensitive” to Turkey’s concerns regarding the YPG, America’s top diplomat said Thursday. Turkey regards the YPG as a terrorist group and fears it will further inflame unrest among its own Kurdish population.

Russian Federation and the USA have set a deadline of midnight Damascus time today for the “cessation of hostilities” between Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and rebel forces.

Russia’s foreign minister says he hopes Washington will keep its obligations under a Syria truce deal negotiated by Russian Federation and the U.S.

Once the UN Security Council had endorsed the ceasefire last night, UN envoy Staffan de Mistura was expected to announce a resumption on March 7th of talks between the government and opposition on the formation of a unity government to draft a new constitution and oversee elections.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu on Thursday said the ceasefire was only valid inside Syria and was “not binding” for Turkey if its national security was threatened.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry told American lawmakers on Tuesday that he would not vouch for the success of the cease-fire agreement but that it is the best pathway for ending five years of violence in Syria that has killed more than 250,000 people and displaced another 11 million from their homes.

The YPG told Reuters this week it would respect a ceasefire but reserved the right to respond if attacked.

But the cease-fire will not apply to two of Syria’s most lethal terror organizations, the Islamic State and the Nusra Front, raising questions on the effectiveness of the ceasefire. expressed pessimism over the cease-fire attempt.

Turkish officials, however, say that it is the Syrian affiliate of the PKK, which has led a bloody campaign in Turkey for decades.

Turkey has been heavily shelling the positions of Syrian Kurdish militants who are fighting Takfiri groups near the two countries’ border.

The Turkish government vowed to not allow Kurdish forces to change demographic structure in the areas, as the Turkish military has shelled positions of the People’s Protection Units (YPG), an armed faction of the PYD. “Russian help from air is very important for the Syrian army”, she noted.

Kalin also said Saudi planes – due to take part in air strikes against Islamic State – had started arriving at Turkey’s Incirlik air base.