Turkey "will create buffer zone in Syria if one is not established"January 25, 2019 - 17:13 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday, January 25 that if a buffer zone is not created in northern Syria, his nation will establish their own, Al-Masdar News reports. “We expect a safe zone and buffer zone agreement to protect our country’s borders from terrorists within the next few months; otherwise, we will create this safe zone,” Erdogan said, as quoted by the Anadolu Agency. Referencing the Adana Agreement, Erdogan said that Turkey reserves the right to any land that threatens his country’s national security. Erdogan has repeatedly warned that his nation’s armed forces will launch a major military operation in northern Syria to eliminate the ‘terrorist’ groups allied to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). However, due to the U.S. ongoing military presence in northern and eastern Syria, Turkey has been forced to delay their operation east of the Euphrates. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Biden honors resilience of Armenian people on April 24 U.S. President Joe Biden has issued a statement on the 109th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Ex-Karabakh leader moved to solitary confinement cell in Baku, his son says David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. Macron says France commemorates 109th anniv. of Armenian genocide Today France commemorates the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide of 1915, Macron says. Freedom House concerned by mounting reports of police violence in Armenia Freedom House urged Armenian authorities to investigate this pattern of excessive force and inhumane treatment. |