Iran Press/Middle East: In an interview with television channel Russia 24, Bashar al-Assad said: “We are talking about the Turks as fraternal people."
He added there are Syrian-Turkish marriages, families, vital common interests.
“In Turkey, there are many ethnic Syrians, and in Syria, there are many ethnic Turks. This mutual penetration of cultures is caused historically, therefore it is illogical that there should be serious disagreements between them and us,” al-Assad added.
Earlier, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that his talks with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow on March 5 should lead to an immediate ceasefire in Syria.
Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Wednesday that the only mechanism that has been able to ease the tensions in Syria and move towards stability and the fight against terrorism has been the Astana peace process.
The top UN humanitarian official for Syria said Tuesday the crisis in northwest Idlib where nearly one million people have fled to avoid escalating hostilities is "probably the biggest crisis we have in the world today."
Following the escalation of tensions in Syria’s Idlib, Turkey has sent thousands of troops and heavy military hardware into Syria and Erdogan has warned Turkey would launch a full-scale offensive to repel Syrian forces unless they pulled back from Turkish observation posts in the region.
In recent days, the Syrian army has managed to liberate several areas and villages in the south and east of Idlib province.
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Saraqib's liberation changed political, military equations in favor of Syria
Syrian Army has reclaimed significant territory since launching a stepped-up offensive in December, including areas around some of the Turkish military posts in Idlib.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has threatened the Syrian government in recent days, saying the offensive violates a 2018 deal with Russia meant to prevent a broad military operation.
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