We have learnt that the Russian aircraft has been conducting a heavy bombardment against the Turkmen villages in the Bayırbucak Turkmen area near Türkmendağı (Jabal Al Turkman), in northwest of Syria, which is in the immediate vicinity of Turkey’s Yayladağ border crossing.

Upon the instruction of Minister of Foreign Affairs Foreign Minister H.E. Feridun H. Sinirlioğlu, H.E. Andrei Karlov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Turkey was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was emphasized to Ambassador Karlov that the actions of the Russian side do not serve to the fight against terrorism but amount only to the bombardment of civilian Turkmen villages and that these actions may result in serious consequences. Ambassador Karlov was informed that Turkey expects the Russian Federation to put an end to these operations as soon as possible.

Our warnings and demands have also been reiterated to the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East, Mikhail Bogdanov.