Turkish, Russian FMs discuss Syria's situation, Astana process

A source in the Turkish Foreign Ministry has announced that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone talk to discuss Syria.

"On November 30, Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan held a phone talk with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. The discussion focused on the situation in Syria and the Astana process," a source said, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

Fidan previously stated that Ankara is not involved in the ongoing conflict in Syria's Aleppo province but is taking security measures, including addressing the risks of a new wave of migration from Syria.

He also emphasised that Türkiye will never allow a terrorist organisation in Syria to become a state. 

The Syrian Armed Forces Command previously stated that on the morning of November 27, fighters from the extremist group Jabhat al-Nusra (banned in Russia) launched a large-scale attack on a wide front in the northern part of the country. 

The terrorists attempted to launch an offensive on villages and towns under the protection of the Syrian army, as well as military facilities, and continued attacking government positions. 

Later, the Al Mayadeen channel reported that Syrian army units had begun a counteroffensive against the militants' positions, retaking more than 20 settlements to the north and west of Aleppo.

On November 29, militants entered Aleppo, the second-biggest city in Syria. On November 30, the Syrian army effectively confirmed it had abandoned its positions. A statement from the Syrian command said that the rebel attacks forced armed forces to reposition to strengthen defence lines, repel the attack, protect the lives of civilians and soldiers, and prepare for a counteroffensive.

Russia, which supports the government forces, reported strikes on the militants' equipment and personnel. According to the Russian Reconciliation Centre for Syria, at least 200 militants were killed.

By Naila Huseynova