Erdoğan asks Russia and Iran to back Turkey’s incursion into Syria

Turkish president cites Kurdish forces in north-west Syria as justification for extending zone of control

The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdoan, has used trilateral talks with his Iranian and Russian counterparts in Tehran to make the case for a further Turkish incursion into north-western Syria.

Erdoan cited Kurdish forces in Tel Rifaat and Manbij, two towns in north-west Syria where Russian and Iranian forces are present, as justification for Turkey extending its zone of control in the country. What we expect from Iran and Russia is to support Turkey in its fight against terrorist organisations," he told a press conference following the meeting.