The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Syria: Turkey and Russia begin patrols in Idlib

The Turkish and Russian governments have begun patrols in the buffer zone around Idlib. The province is the last rebel-held area in Syria. Russian units are said to be operating in the border area with Idlib and Turkish soldiers inside the demilitarized buffer zone, said Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar of state news agency Anadolu.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that Turkish troops have prepared for patrols under the Turkish-Russian agreement. Despite a ceasefire in Idlib, the fighting had recently increased again, causing thousands of people, especially from the city of Chan Sheikhun, to flee.

The patrols are “an important step in continuing the ceasefire and maintaining stability in Idlib,” Akar said. However, he warned the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to violate the ceasefire.

Idlib in northwestern Syria is controlled by Al-Qaeda-affiliated militia Haiat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The fighters of HTS are in Idlib for years in conflict with rival rebel groups, which is why there are always attacks and battles. Turkey as an ally of the rebels and Russia as supporters of the Syrian government had agreed last year on a buffer zone for Idlib to prevent an offensive by the Syrian government troops on the province.

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Since then, the agreement has only been partially implemented. At the beginning of January, the jihadist alliance Hajat Tahrir al-Sham pushed back the Libertarian Liberation Front (NLF) and extended its control from the province of Aleppo to the neighboring provinces of Hama and Idlib.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 160 civilians, 125 fighters of government troops and 94 rebels and jihadists have been killed in Idlib despite the ceasefire since September.

Source: Syria: Turkey and Russia begin patrols in Idlib – International News