Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Friday that Russia must account for the people it has killed in Syria, arguing that Russia and Assad regime were together responsible for 400,000 deaths there. Giving a speech at a joint press conference with Senegalese counterpart while on a state visit to the West African country, Erdoğan also dismissed a Russian statement that Turkey was preparing for an incursion in Syria, saying he is “laughing” at the claim. Ankara has rejected this as propaganda intended to conceal Russia's own "crimes." Erdoğan said Russia was engaged in an invasion of Syria and accused it of trying to set up a "boutique state" for its longtime ally President Bashar al-Assad. "Russia must be held accountable for the people it has killed within Syria's borders," "By cooperating with the regime, the number of people they have killed has reached 400,000." said Erdoğan in his speech. Relations between Turkey, a NATO member, and Russia hit their worst in recent memory in November after Turkey shot down a Russian warplane Ankara said had violated Turkish airspace from Syria. Turkey, which has taken more than 2.5 million refugees fleeing the Syrian war, wants Assad out and claims only his removal can bring long-term peace.
SHOT LIST Saturday, February 06, 2016 Var of Erdoğan replying questions Var of Erdoğan leaving DURATION: 4:48
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