Over 11,000 vehicles entered Syria since February | 25 Turkish vehicles head to Idlib, amid ongoing withdrawals from besieged posts
As Turkish forces continue evacuating besieged posts in regime-controlled areas, SOHR activists have monitored several trucks carrying cement blocks and logistical supplies leaving areas under the control of regime forces to Idlib and Aleppo countryside. On the other hand, a Turkish column of 25 armoured vehicles and trucks carrying military and logistical supplies crossed into Syria, via Kafr Lusin crossing in northern Idlib. The column headed to the new Turkish positions in Idlib countryside.
A few days ago, the Syrian Observatory highlighted all Turkish withdrawals from observation posts in areas annexed recently by regime forces, as out of 12 main Turkish posts in north-western Syria region, Turkish forces have completely evacuated the following five posts:
- Murek and Shir Mghar in Hama countryside
- Anadan and Al-Rashideen in Aleppo countryside
- Al-Saraman in Idlib countryside.
Turkish forces were also preparing to withdraw from three other main posts in Al-Eis, Al-Sheikh Oqail in Aleppo countryside, and Al-Tuqan in Idlib countryside, as troops stationed there were packing up and dismantling equipment. The three posts were expected to be evacuated in the following few hours and days.
While there were four other main Turkish posts out of regime-controlled areas, and they are the following:
- Ishtabraq in the west of Jisr Al-Shughur
- Al-Zaytounah in Jabal Al-Turkman
- Salwah in the northern countryside of Idlib
- Qalla’at Sam’an in the western countryside of Aleppo.
As for the recently-established Turkish posts, SOHR activists reported that Turkish forces completely withdrew from the following four posts: Maar Hattat and Al-Sena’a in the east of Saraqeb in rural Idlib, Al-Kurani factory in Al-Zarbah, and Qubaytan Al-Jabal in Aleppo countryside. Furthermore, Turkish forces continued dismantling equipment in Al-Duwayr post in northern Saraqeb in preparations to evacuate it.
It is worth noting that Turkish forces are still stationed in several posts established recently in regime-controlled areas, including the grain warehouse in the south of Saraqeb, Al-Sayromat factory in northern Saraqeb, Tarnabeh in western Saraqeb, and another post in Aleppo countryside near Kafr Halab.
As Turkey keeps sending more military reinforcement to NW Syria, the number of Turkish military units which have entered the “de-escalation zone” since the new ceasefire came into effect has risen to 7,665, in addition to the entry of hundreds of soldiers.
From February 2 to date, SOHR activists have monitored the entry of more than 11,000 trucks and military vehicles to the “de-escalation zone”, including tanks, personnel carriers, armoured vehicles, mobile bullet proof guard booths and military radars.