Russia to strike Syria militants during truce

Fearing the ambitions of the PYD and its People’s Protection Units (YPG) militia, Ankara has been keen to play up the links between the Syrian Kurdish fighters and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) which has waged a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state.

In a further reflection of the complicated terrain across Syria’s zigzagging front lines, Davutoglu also warned Syria’s main Kurdish militia, a U.S.-backed group that has been fighting the Islamic State, against taking advantage of the truce for actions that threaten Turkey’s security.

Saudi Arabia and Turkey both see the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad as essential for ending Syria’s five-year civil war and are bitterly critical of Iran and Russia’s support of the Syrian regime.

The US earlier described the YPG as an effective partner in the fight against IS (Islamic State, formerly ISIS/ISIL) in Syria, but Erdogan said the idea that the YPG is supported due to its anti-IS fight was a “great lie”.

Advances by Russian and Iranian-backed Syrian regime forces on the northern city of Aleppo have alarmed Turkish and European officials and worldwide aid groups already grappling with what has been described as the worst humanitarian crisis since World War II.

Syria’s opposition has indicated it is ready for a two-week truce, saying it is a chance to test the seriousness of the Syrian government’s commitment to a cessation of hostilities.

“And it seems to me, the United States, if we’re going to work with the PYD or any group that’s associated with an enemy of Turkey – it has to prove its bonafides”, he said. “We are working, ” he added, “so that the parties involved do not set pre-conditions to the ceasefire”.

Turkish artillery shelled YPG-held territory in Aleppo province throughout Wednesday night, the observatory said, without immediately reporting any casualties.

State news agency SANA said that military operations against the hideouts of IS fighters in Khanasser were carried out in the past 48 hours, and hailed the town’s recapture just two days after its fall to the militants.

“Ankara is the only place that decides actions regarding Turkey’s security”, he said.

The government has blamed the militants for bringing their armed campaign to urban centres and has said military operations are not targeting civilians.

The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Staffan de Mistura, said he will convene the first meeting of a task force meant to monitor the cease-fire.

Saudi Arabia has been a key backer of the Syrian opposition and rebel factions, whereas Russian Federation has been a longtime ally of Assad.

The cease-fire is to go into effect on midnight Friday.

Turkey has also bombed Kurds fighting there as they have gained considerable ground and pose a threat to the security of Turkey.