As high-ranking Turkish delegation visiting Idlib | Turkish forces raise readiness in their posts, while 300 Turkish soldiers leave “de-escalation zone”

Idlib province: SOHR activists have reported seeing Turkish forces being put on high alert in Turkish posts in the “de-escalation zone”, including all posts in Idlib province, in light of a visit by a delegation of Turkish forces, headed by a high-ranking officer, to the military posts on the frontlines of Jabal al-Zawiyah and east of Idlib city with the aim to check the military readiness of these posts to repel any surprise attacks.

 

This development came after statements by Russia and Turkey regarding Idlib province, as well as Turkey’s fears of surprise military operation by Russian and regime forces on Idlib. The visit of the Turkish delegation coincided with the arrival of new military reinforcements in the military posts in the “de-escalation zone”. It is worth noting that the recently-arrived reinforcement included heavy weaponry such as artillery pieces and tanks.

 

SOHR reported the entry of two Turkish military convoys for the first time, weeks after suspension of sending new reinforcement to that region.

 

SOHR sources have also confirmed that over 300 Turkish soldier withdrew from Idlib to Turkey today, as short leaves were permitted for Turkish soldiers in the military posts, after the leaves were suspended for over a year and half. Meanwhile, SOHR sources have reported that more Turkish soldiers will get short leaves and the numbers of these solider may reach 1,000 in the next few days.