The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

“De-escalation zone” | Turkish forces deploy troops along Latakia-Aleppo highway, as reconnaissance drones flying over the region

Syrian Observatory activists have reported seeing Russian reconnaissance drones flying over Idlib province, along with deployment of Turkish forces on Latakia-Aleppo international highway (M4) since morning, as Turkish forces blocked the roads and deployed large number of troops in the region, particularly the surrounding areas of Muhambal in the western countryside of Idlib.

 

There are no confirmed reports on the reasons behind this deployment whether these forces are combing the region or searching for suspects believed to be involved in the attack on the Turkish post in Abu Al-Zubayr area on January 31.

 

On February 2, SOHR sources monitored substantial deployment of Turkish forces in the area from Ma’rat Misrin and Al-Fu’ah in the east and north-east of Idlib to Idlib city.

 

According to Syrian Observatory sources, this substantial deployment came with the aim of combing operations launched by Turkish forces in the area, including dismantling IEDs and detonating landmines.

 

A day earlier, Observatory sources monitored Turkish forces fixing surveillance cameras on Aleppo-Latakia international highway “M4”, from an area near the city of Ariha in southern Idlib to Bdama district near Jisr al-Shughour city in west Idlib countryside.

 

While on February 3, SOHR activists documented the death of a Turkish soldier affected by the injury he sustained on January 31 in an armed attack by unknown gunmen who opened fire on the outpost of a Turkish military post in Abu Al-Zubayr area near Muhambel town on Aleppo-Latakia international highway “M4” in western Idlib. The attack left two Turkish soldiers injured.