Russia called on Turkey to take measures to eliminate terrorist groups in the Idlib de-escalation zone and to release citizens held by the militants, Rear Admiral Alexander Grinkevich, deputy head of the Russian center for reconciliation of opposing sides in the SAR, said at a briefing.
"We call on the Turkish side to take effective measures to dismantle terrorist groups in the Idlib de-escalation zone and release citizens illegally held by militants," he said.
Grinkevich noted that the Russian center for reconciliation of warring parties receives reports from residents of settlements in the Idlib zone about the ongoing arrests and kidnappings of public activists and civilians who oppose the actions of illegal armed groups and militant outrages against the local population.
According to him, terrorists in the Idlib zone of de-escalation are holding over 2,100 people, including media workers, doctors, teachers and clergy.
"At least 2,116 people, including media workers, doctors, teachers and clerics, are currently being forcibly detained by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorists," Grinkevich said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Ghaith Alsayed / AP / TASS
Based on materials from RIA Novosti