Russia Accuses Turkey Of Suppressing Kurds

Russia accuses Ankara of suppressing Kurdish organizations in Syria and Turkey under the pretext of a war against terrorism.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on March 23 that illegal traffic across the Turkish-Syrian border had decreased dramatically since the start of Russia's military operation in Syria in September 2015.

Lavrov called for the full implementation of UN Security Council resolutions demanding a halt of trade in artifacts and oil with the Islamic State (IS) extremist group and to stop "terrorists" from crossing into Syria.

Meanwhile, Turkey's armed forces said its jets had carried out air strikes against the Kurdistan Workers Party militant group in northern Iraq and near the southeastern Turkish town of Semdinli.

Shelters, caves, and ammunition depots used by the militants had been hit by the March 22 air strikes, the military said.

Based on reporting by Reuters, TASS, and Interfax