Turkish FM discusses Syria with Iranian counterpart

By Zuhal Demirci

ANKARA

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu discussed recent developments in war-torn Syria over the phone with his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif on Monday, according to a Turkish diplomatic source.

Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests -- which erupted as part of the "Arab Spring" uprisings -- with unexpected ferocity.

Since then, more than a quarter of a million people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced across the war-battered country, according to the UN. The Syrian Center for Policy Research, however, puts the death toll from the six-year conflict at more than 470,000 people.

Cavusoglu also extended Turkey’s condolences to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry over Sunday’s twin bombings in the Egyptian cities of Tanta and Alexandria during a phone call, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

At least 45 people were killed -- and scores more injured -- in the bombings that targeted Coptic Christian worshippers celebrating the Christian Palm Sunday holiday.

Responsibility for the deadly blasts was swiftly claimed by the Daesh terrorist group.