Turkey is discussing with Russia the issue of opening the skies over northern Syria.

Turkey is discussing with Russia the possibility of using the airspace in northern Syria to conduct an operation against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), said Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.

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Ankara classifies the PKK as a terrorist organization whose activities are banned in Turkey and are being persecuted by the authorities.

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“We continue to neutralize the terrorist organization. We are discussing the opening of airspace with the Russians. Contacts continue on trilateral cooperation Turkey-Russia-Syria. When negotiations reach a certain stage, we share them with the press. We continue our conversations and dialogues,”  Akar said.

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Turkey has been conducting an air operation against the Syrian wing of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in northern Syria since November 20. Erdogan called the operation successful and did not rule out the beginning of the ground phase.