Impacts of Russian-Turkish agreement on opening crossings between areas held by factions and regime-held areas in NW Syria | Idlib markets witness significant rise in vegetable prices

After the Russians announced their agreement with the Turkish side to open three crossings connecting regime-controlled areas to the areas held by faction in Aleppo and Idlib, the markets of Idlib city witnessed a significant rise in the prices of vegetables.

Here is a list of some vegetables prices:

·        Tomatoes: from 4 to 8 Turkish liras per kilo, equivalent to 3840 Syrian pounds

·        Bananas: from 8 to 11 TL per kilo, equivalent to 5,280 SYL

·        Potatoes: from 1 to 2.5 TL per kilo, equivalent to 1200 SYL

·        Zucchini: from 4 to 7 TL per kilo, equivalent to 3,360 SYL

The quantities of vegetables on offer in the main markets decreased, leading to an increase in their prices.

SOHR sources have reported demonstrations in several Syrian areas under the control of Turkish forces and opposition factions in Idlib and Aleppo countryside after Friday prayer, as the demonstrators condemned the opening of crossings between regime-controlled areas and rebel-held areas. Demonstrations against the Russian-Turkish agreement and opening of crossings took place in Idlib city, Afrin city, and other towns and villages in the western and northern countryside of Aleppo, where the demonstrators called for the toppling of the Syrian regime and implementation of UN resolution No. 2245.

Yesterday, SOHR sources monitored residents of the city of Idlib staging a vigil, protesting the Russian-Turkish agreement to open crossings with the Syrian regime-held areas. The protesters carried placards demanding the overthrow of the regime and the implementation of UN resolution 2254.

The town of Janderas in Afrin countryside also witnessed a similar protests.

Meanwhile, SOHR sources have reported that the regime forces reopened the Saraqeb crossing, east of Idlib, the crossing, however, witnessed no civilian movement or commercial traffic.

SOHR sources reported earlier that the rebels, Islamic and jihadist factions in the “de-escalation zone”, stretching from the north-east mountains of Latakia, to the north-western suburbs of Aleppo city through rural Hama and Idlib, have rejected the Russian-Turkish agreement on opening crossings in Idlib and Aleppo between areas held by factions and jihadists and regime-held areas.

Military leaders of the “National Liberation Front”, the commander of the “Jaysh Al-Izza” faction and other military leaders expressed their refusal to open crossings through statements and posts on social media. However, no faction in particular disclosed its clear position on the issue of the three crossings.

This came after the Russian Defense Ministry announced that it has reached an agreement with the Turkish side to reopen three crossings in the Idlib and Aleppo regions in northern Syria to ease the humanitarian conditions in Turkish-backed areas.

The deputy director of the Russian Ministry of Defense’s Hmeimim centre for reconciliation of the warring parties in Syria, marine major General Alexander Karpov, said during a press conference on Wednesday: “With the aim of lifting the isolation and practically removing the internal siege of civilians, a decision has been taken to reopen the Saraqeb and Meeznaz crossings in Idlib the “de-escalation zone” and the Abu Zaidin crossing in the Aleppo city.”

“We believe this action is a direct evidence of our commitment to a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis to the local and international communities,” Karpov said.

Karpov added that “this action will improve social conditions and de-escalate tensions in society due to the disruption of family contacts and difficult living conditions.”