Turkey’s patience running thin over Syrian regime’s Idlib offensive: Erdoğan

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned Russia that Turkey was running out of patience regarding the continued offensive by the Syrian army in Idlib and will take unilateral actions to stop it if Moscow fails to persuade Bashar al-Assad's regime to cease the military operations in the last rebel-held enclave.

"We had some meetings with Russia in Sochi and Astana that produced some agreements [on Idlib]. We will faithfully continue to implement them should Russia stick to the agreements as well. Unfortunately, Russia is not abiding by the deals of Astana and Sochi," Erdoğan told journalists traveling with him on his return from a three-day Africa tour on Jan. 30.

Informing that talks with the Russian authorities are ongoing on Idlib and the primary message given to them is "Our patience is running thin. We will do whatever necessary if these bombardments do not stop," Erdoğan stated.

Turkey has shown a strong reaction against the intensified military operations of the Syrian army against the opposition groups inside Idlib which have triggered a new refugee influx towards the Turkish border.

The Syrian army captured the second largest city in Idlib after a massive attack on Jan. 29. Russia and Syria say the offensive was against the radical jihadist groups in the enclave. There are strong criticisms against both nations as they also target civilians in the region.

"If we are loyal partners, then Russia should take up a position. It will either pursue a different track with Syria or with Turkey. There is no other way," he said.

Turkey and Russia had agreed to establish a de-escalation zone in Idlib through a deal brokered in Sochi. The deal stipulates a ceasefire between the regime and the opposition forces. However, Idlib...