Turkish, Russian defense ministers to discuss Syria in Ankara

Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will make an unexpected visit to Ankara on Monday (Feb. 11) upon the invitation of Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar, DS reported.

The ministers are expected to hold talks focused on the latest development in Syria, particularly in Idlib province.

The talks will take place ahead of the trilateral summit between Turkey, Russia and Iran that will be held in the Russian resort city of Sochi on Feb. 14.

Last September in Sochi, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to establish the Idlib demilitarization zone.

The following month saw all heavy weapons withdrawn from the de-escalation zone by Syrian opposition and groups opposing Assad regime.

Nevertheless, according to the White Helmets, at least 30 people were killed in Idlib in January, including women and children, while another 180 were injured in Idlib, Hama and Latakia by regime drone attacks and artillery fire.