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Turkey and Germany huddle over looming Idlib operation

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’s visit to Ankara will, above all, serve as a platform for the two countries to discuss major military action expected in the last Syrian rebel stronghold of Idlib.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his German counterpart Heiko Maas commemorate the 25th anniversary of an arson attack killing two Turkish women and three girls by right-wing extremists in Solingen, Germany, May 29, 2018. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay - RC1C23FA1490

As the world braces for major military action to take place in the last Syrian rebel stronghold of Idlib, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas’ visit to Ankara on Sept. 5 is set to bring forth some urgent issues.

The meeting between the two states, taking place during a “de-icing” period overcoming sour relations, is expected to cover a number of topics, including detained German citizens in Turkey and the troubles in the Turkish economy. But the most serious and time-sensitive concern for both countries at this time lies abroad.

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