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Conflict in Syria

Ambassador says Turkey tries to create "incubator" for terrorists in Syria

Syria's ambassador says Turkey is trying to create a favorable ground for promotion of its radical ideology

Syrian Ambassador Riyad Haddad Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

Syrian Ambassador Riyad Haddad

© Valeriy Sharifulin/TASS

MOSCOW, June 9. /TASS/. Turkey is trying to clear Syria’s north from Christians and create favorable conditions for establishment of an "incubator" there for terrorist organizations, Syrian Ambassador Riyad Haddad said in the lower house of Russia’s parliament, the State Duma, on Thursday.

At a Duma meeting of the intra-faction deputy group on protection of Christian values, Haddad recalled abduction by representatives of pro-Turkish armed opposition of Orthodox Metropolitan of Aleppo Paul (Yazigi) and Syrian Orthodox Metropolitan Mar Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim in 2013.

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"Turkey, within the framework of its political plans, is trying to finally clear the north of Syria of one of the most important components of our society (Christianity)," he said.

"Turkey is trying to create a favorable ground for adoption of radical ideology and wants that area to become ‘an incubator’ for terrorist groups and wants [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan’s dream of the revival of the Ottoman Empire to be carried out there," Haddad said.

"Turkey is terrifying the hearts of Christians by carrying out criminal activity: murders, violence and seizure of churches," the diplomat said. "It’s necessary to know who in reality is pressuring Christians to make them leave their motherland. Yesterday they left Iraq, Jordan and Palestine, today - Lebanon and Syria."

"The Syrian army and government have for the past five years been a source of security for all Syrians, including Christians," he said.

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