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Conflict in Syria

Special services of Turkey and Syria maintain their contacts, says Russian envoy for Syria

Touching upon the possibility of taking such contacts to a higher level, Alexander Lavrentiev referred to the statement of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that "the time has not yet come for this"

ASTANA, November 23. /TASS/. The special services of Syria and Turkey maintain mutual contacts in order to resolve pressing issues related to the current situation in the conflict zone, presidential envoy for Syria Alexander Lavrentiev said on Wednesday. He was speaking after the 19th international meeting on Syria in the Astana format.

"I will not reveal a big secret, but contacts between the two sides through special services continue. This helps to resolve a number of issues related, in particular, to the situation on the ground," he said.

Touching upon the possibility of taking such contacts to a higher level, Lavrentiev referred to the statement of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that "the time has not yet come for this."

"But we believe that it is not a matter of time, but of principle, of the desire to move towards each other, and we see such a desire, the signals are coming," the special envoy of the President of the Russian Federation for Syria emphasized.

Turkey’s air operation codenamed Claw Sword began on November 20. Over 50 aircraft and 20 drones were involved. Artillery provided support on the ground. Strikes were carried out against the bases of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its offshoot in Syria - the People's Defense Units. The Turkish Defense Ministry said that the operation had been successfully carried out in northern Iraq in the areas of Qandil, Asos and Hakurk, as well as near Arap-Pynary, Tall Rifaat, Cizre and Derik in northern Syria.

According to Turkish media reports, Turkish F-16 fighters resumed strikes on targets in Syria on November 21 and 22 after Turkish border towns came under fire from Syrian territory.

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