Turkey, Russia, Iran form alliance against United States

Erdogan, Iranian President Hasan Rouhani and Russian President Vladimir Putin will come together almost a week after the Erdogan-Putin meeting in Soci.

“We, like Turkey, Russia and Iran, want the entire Astana process to continue. We will join the leadership level on November 22nd. The day before us, our foreign ministers will hold preparations for talks. We will have the opportunity to review recent developments, especially in Africa and Idlib,”, Erdogan told reporters on board his return flight from Qatar late on November 15th.

“I believe this meeting will be very important,” he added.

The chiefs of general staff of the three countries will come together to Sochi to discuss the military aspect of recent developments in Africa and Idlib, said Erdogan, “Hurriyet Daily News”, broadcast Periscopi.

Turkey, Russia and Iran agreed as part of the Astana Process to monitor the ceasefire between the Syrian regime and the opposition armed groups through the establishment of four breakaway areas. Turkey and Russia were tasked with monitoring the ceasefire in Idlib, with the Turkish military working to preserve “surveillance sites” within the region held by the rebels.

“As you know, this issue of creating 12 observation points is a sensitive issue. At these points, we show flexibility towards Russia's demands and even Iran's. But we don't consider Iran's demands for Africa. Because Russia made promises to withdraw from Africa at the G20 summit in Hamburg,” said Erdogan.

He also noted that Russian officials indicated they could tolerate possible moves from Turkey in response to “threats and provocations”.

We value Africa from this perspective. Protecting the demographic structure in Africa is one of our sensibilities,” he said.

Erdogan stressed that Ankara and Moscow agreed to maintain co-ordination between the Astana and Geneva processes aimed at resolving Syrian war, repeating Turkey's stance against The YPG and the Democratic Union Party (PYD).

There will be no concessions for this. We, Turkey, will never be at the table where even terrorist organisations are present. That is also true of Geneva and Astana. If there is a terrorist organization, no one should expect our presence. There is a matter of honour in politics and we will never give concessions to honour politics. That's what I told Putin,” he said.

Regarding an agreement between Putin and US President Donald Trump ) underlining the need to launch efforts for a <x0 political resolution “ ”, Erdogan reiterated his call for a full withdrawal of all military troops” in Syria, so negotiations can resume.

We will do everything necessary for a political solution. The United Nations will also be involved. Let's take these steps,” added Erdogan.

The Turkish president also recalled that the US offered heavy arms and YPG (Kurdish army) ammunition and “more than 3,500 trucks”, while the US also has 13 military bases within Syria and is building another one in Raka./Periscopi/