Syria's Idlib is getting devastated like Aleppo: Erdogan

ANKARA

Syria's Idlib faces gradual devastation, just like the Aleppo city of the war-torn country, Turkish president said on Tuesday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan's remarks came at a press conference following a meeting with Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis at the presidential complex in Ankara, Turkey’s capital.

"Turkey is not expelling and closing its doors to refugees, but we will be happy if we can help the establishment of a safe zone [in Syria]," Erdogan said.

Last Saturday, Turkish president said in Istanbul that Turkey will apply its own plan of action, if Turkish soldiers are not allowed to control safe zone in Syria.

In three weeks, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session, Turkey will use the last possibility to find a compromise with the U.S. on building a safe zone along the eastern line of the Euphrates River, he said.

Since 2016, Turkey has conducted two major military operations in northwestern Syria -- Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch -- to purge the region of terrorist groups Daesh and the YPG, which is the Syrian branch of the terrorist organization PKK.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babis, for his part, hailed Erdogan’s proposal on Syria safe zone, saying: "Turkey doesn’t want money but a safe zone with schools, houses and investment inside it."

Also addressing the bilateral trade relations with Turkey, Babis said the trade volume between two countries could be increased.

Czech premier underlined the great cooperation potential between the two countries, especially in areas such as energy and defense industry.

“We would like to see Turkish companies in our country," Babis said, mentioning the opportunities in the construction area.