The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Day ten of “de-escalation zone” ceasefire: Turkish-Russian joint patrols on M4 expected to start

Syrian Observatory sources say that tense calm is prevailing in the area of “Putin–Erdogan” as the new ceasefire in the “de-escalation zone” enters its tenth consecutive day. Meanwhile, Turkish-Russian joint patrols are expected to start to be run on Aleppo-Latakia international highway (M4) today, Sunday the 15th of March 2020, according to the agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Receb Tayyip Erdogan.

On the other hand, SOHR activists have monitored escalating popular resentment among the people of Idlib towards the anticipated joint patrols. A large number of Idlib’s headed to the M4 to hold sit-in demonstrations, in rejection of the alleged Turkish-Russian agreement.

Yesterday, Syrian Observatory activists reported that the people of Idlib have been still holding a sit-in near Jisr Ariha overlooking Aleppo-Latakia international highway (M4), for the second consecutive day. Some protestors cut off the M4 highway from the side of Jisr Ariha by setting fire to tires. Meanwhile, a Turkish patrol has arriver in the area with other vehicles used for removing barriers, in order to clear the M4 highway for Turkey-Russia joint patrols which are planned to start tomorrow.