Turkish PM accuses Russian jets of bombing civilians in Syria

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu Tuesday identified Russian airstrikes in Syria as "dishonorable", claiming the bombing does not target Islamic State (IS) group but the opposition groups which fight against the Syrian regime.

Citing that "dishonorable Russian planes" have launched almost 8,000 sorties in a bid to seal corridor to Aleppo province of Syria sortie, those jets are responsible for killing Syrian civilians in bombing raids on hospitals and schools in Syria, the prime minister said at the parliament.

"Russia is bombing hospitals and schools. And then it is referring Turkey to the United Nations Security Council to take measures for its border security," Davutoglu stated.

The Turkish prime minister also said the People's Protection Units (YPG), the armed forces of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) of Syrian Kurds, will not be allowed to advance on Azez town in the neighboring country, declaring it a red line for Turkey.

"We will do what is necessary if they bid to advance," he said.

Turkish military hit targets of the PYD several times since last week, as Turkey considers the group affiliated to the outlawed Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK).

Russia and Syrian regime uses PYD to change demography of Aleppo, forcing thousands of people to flee their hometown, Davutoglu said.

Russia and Syrian regime aim to close corridor to Aleppo before a ceasefire, he said referring a truce planned for early March.

Turkish officials said their shelling comes in retaliation to fire from the Kurdish fighters' positions against Turkey, a claim totally denied by the Syrian Kurds.

Turkish officials have repeatedly said that they will not allow the Kurds in Syria to expand more near the Turkish border. Endit