MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the conflict in Syria in a phone call with Mr Recep Tayyip Erdogan and invited the Turkish leader to soon visit Russia, the Kremlin said.

Mr Putin invited Mr Erdogan "for a working visit in the coming days".

"The invitation was accepted," Mr Putin's office said in a statement late on Tuesday (Oct 15).

It said the two leaders emphasised "the need to prevent confrontations between units of the Turkish army and Syrian armed forces".

The call was initiated by Turkey, the Kremlin said.

Mr Putin raised concerns in the call about "terrorists attempting to break free and infiltrate neighbouring countries" amid Ankara's offensive against Kurdish-held areas of northern Syria.