Turkey’s Erdogan warns against ‘bloodbath’ in Syria’s Idlib; calls for ‘ceasefire’

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)

Tehran, Iran — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan warned Friday of a “bloodbath” in Syria’s last rebel-held bastion of Idlib if a much anticipated government offensive goes ahead.

“We never want Idlib to turn into a bloodbath,” Erdogan told a Tehran summit in Damascus with his Iranian and Russian counterpar that is expected to determine the province’s fate.

“Any attack launched or to be launched on Idlib will result in a disaster, massacre and a very big humanitarian tragedy,” he added.

Erdogan then called for a “ceasefire” in the area amid Russian air raids  pounding rebel positions.

“If we can ensure a ceasefire here, this will be one of the most important steps of the summit, it will seriously put civilians at ease,” he noted. /kga