OREANDA-NEWS Turkey has handed over to Russia documents with the facts that members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party and the Popular Self-Defense Forces (banned in Turkey and recognized as terrorist) are attacking civilians in northern Syria, where Ankara intends to conduct a new cross-border operation, the Sabah newspaper reported, citing diplomatic sources.

According to the newspaper, the topic will be touched upon at the upcoming talks within the framework of the Astana format. Ankara also said that Western countries ignore the deaths of civilians, despite the fact that the number of deaths is constantly increasing, the article said.

Earlier, the Sabah newspaper reported that the Turkish Armed Forces and the so-called Syrian Free Army (FSA) had completed preparations for a new anti-terrorist operation in Syria and were awaiting orders from Ankara.  Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that the country's armed forces are ready to start a new military operation in the northern Syrian Arab Republic "at any time.