Turkey working to solve 'devastating' crisis in Syria

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA

Turkey is working for a political solution to the "devastating" crisis in Syria, the presidential communications director said on Wednesday.

"Turkey isn't just fighting all forms of terrorism in Syria. We are also working for a political solution to the devastating crisis next door," Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.

"Syria’s territorial integrity and political stability are Turkey's key priorities. We will continue to work toward those goals," he added.

Turkey isn't just fighting all forms of terrorism in Syria. We are also working for a political solution to the devastating crisis next door.

Syria’s territorial integrity and political stability are key priorities for Turkey. We will continue to work toward those goals. pic.twitter.com/fmD5mpwM88

— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) 23 Ocak 2019

Altun's remarks came ahead of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Moscow, where he will meet his Russian counterpart Putin.

"President @RT_Erdogan will be in Moscow today to holds talks on regional issues, including the most recent developments in Syria, and the Turkish-Russian relations with President Putin," Altun said.

President @RT_Erdogan will be in Moscow today to holds talks on regional issues, including the most recent developments in Syria, and the Turkish-Russian relations with President Putin.

— Fahrettin Altun (@fahrettinaltun) 23 Ocak 2019

Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected severity.