Three people, including one Russian soldier, were killed Wednesday in a “mysterious accident” in Tartous, western Syria.
Tartous police chief announced that three people, a Russian soldier and two Syrian civilians, were killed when a Russian military vehicle collided with a minibus on al-Qadmous-Banias road in Tartous countryside.
In addition, the accident also resulted in the injury of seven other persons, including two Russians.
A source in Damascus denied targeting the Russian military vehicle with an explosive device, explaining that the incident was a normal traffic accident. However, other sources said that what happened in Tartous was an ISIS operation against Russian army patrol aiming to assassinate a high-ranking Russian officer.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said Turkey wants to begin joint patrols with Russia along the M-4 road on Aleppo-Lattakia highway as of March 15.
“The negotiations [with Russia] continue in a positive and constructive way,” said Akar in Ankara.
Akar stressed that talks with the Russian military delegation about the technicalities of the truce were progressing in a constructive and positive manner, pointing out that the current situation in Idlib was calm after the signing of the ceasefire agreement between Ankara and Moscow last week.
The Minister indicated that Turkey will remain in Idlib, expressing his hope to achieve permanent ceasefire, stability, and security to ensure the voluntary return of Syrian civilians to their homes.
Russian and Turkish military delegations began talks in Ankara on Tuesday at the Ministry of Defense headquarters to agree on the details of the ceasefire in Idlib that was reached during the meeting between Presidents of Russia President Vladimir Putin and Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Moscow last Thursday.
Putin and Erdogan agreed to a ceasefire in Syria to end civilian suffering but did not elaborate on the details. The two presidents also said they will set up a 12-kilometer wide security corridor along the M-4 highway. It will be jointly patrolled by Russian and Turkish troops, starting March 15.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu phoned Akar Tuesday and discussed the situation in Idlib.
In a statement, the Turkish defense ministry said that Akar exchanged views with Shoigu on making the ceasefire permanent in Idlib. He also emphasized determination to continue efforts and fulfill commitments to achieve a lasting ceasefire.
“Akar and Shoigu exchanged views on the ceasefire in Idlib and on the issues of the return of more than one million refugees. The sides reiterated their commitment to the ceasefire, their liabilities under the agreement [on Idlib], and efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region,” the ministry said.
