“De-escalation zone” | Turkish forces deploy on M4 highway

Idlib province: SOHR activists in Idlib province have reported seeing Turkish forces deploying large number of units along Latakia-Aleppo international highway “M4”, blocking it. It is worth noting that Turkish forces deployed large number of their soldiers on the road between Maarrat Misrin and Idlib city and checked and inspected it using advanced devices.

 

On May 8, SOHR activists reported hearing an explosion in the city of Maarat Misrin, north of Idlib, caused by IED explosion as a Turkish convoy was passing at Ram Hamdan Junction near Maarat Misrin. Moreover, sounds of gunfire were heard, while ambulances arrived at the site of the explosion to take the wounded.

 

While on May 3, unidentified gunmen targeted, at dawn, the wall of Turkish military base in the town of Balyoun in Jabal Al-Zawiyah, south of Idlib with RPGs, but no casualties have been reported.

 

On the other hand, Turkish infantry soldiers continue touring Aleppo-Latakia highway and off-roads roads around their military posts, searching for landmines that unknown assailants are trying to plant to target Turkish convoys.

 

It is worth noting that Turkish forces are repeatedly attacked by IEDs and RPGs, as well as armed attacks by unknown persons. Meanwhile,  Turkish forces installed surveillance cameras on M4 “Aleppo – Latakia” highway, starting from the part near the city of Ariha, south of Idlib, up to Badama district near the city of Jisr al-Shughour in the western countryside of Idlib.