Update - Russia Says US 'Took Provocative Steps' İn Syria

Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that the Pentagon took "provocative steps" by providing modern arms to the U.S.-backed groups in Syria.



In a statement, the Defense Ministry said Turkey launched Afrin operation due to the U.S. arming of the groups in Syria.



Turkey launched the Afrin operation due to Pentagon's supply of modern weapons to US-led armed groups in Syria, the statement said and added that the United States' irresponsible behavior in Syria threatens the peace process in the country as well as the Geneva process.



It also highlighted the "provocative steps" taken by the United States was the main factor contributing to the development of the crisis situation in the northwest Syria.



The U.S. created some Kurdish populated areas in Syria and tried to isolate these regions, according to the statement.



In addition, U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Joseph F. Dunford spoke with his Russian counterpart General Staff Gen. Valery Gerasimov on the phone about the situation in Syria, according to a statement released by Pentagon on Saturday.



"Both leaders recognized the importance of maintaining regular communication in order to avoid miscalculation and to promote transparency in areas where our militaries are operating in close proximity," the statement read.



Turkey has launched a military campaign in northwestern Syria to eliminate the PKK, PYD, YPG and Daesh terrorist organizations, and to protect civilians in the region from the terrorists' oppression and cruelty. -