“Putin-Erdogan” area in November 2022 | Nearly 50 fata*lities in acts of vio*lence…chronic crises…withdrawal of Turkish brigade from Idlib
The “de-escalation zone”, stretching from the north-eastern mountains of Latakia to the north-western suburbs of Aleppo city running through both Hama and Idlib, has been under an “alleged” and in-name-only ceasefire agreed upon after a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan on March 5, 2020.
However, that region has experienced a noticeable escalation of military operations by Russian and regime forces and their loyal militias, including daily bombardment with tens of rockets and artillery shells and Russian airstrikes, which all have caused significant human losses and material damage. Meanwhile, Turkey, the “de-escalation” guarantor, seems satisfied with its “timid” bombardment of regime positions, which has not restrained this alarming military escalation which is mainly concentrated in the southern countryside of Idlib, as well as affecting east Idlib countryside, towns and villages of Sahl Al-Ghab in the north-western countryside of Hama, Latakia mountains and western Aleppo countryside.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has monitored and tracked all developments and violations against Syrian people in the “de-escalation zone” in November 2022, including the military escalation by Russian and regime forces, incidents and attacks, deteriorating security, instability and disastrous humanitarian situation. These key developments can be summarised in the following main points:
Russian fighter jets execute 14 airstrikes on Idlib and Latakia
Russian fighter jets executed 14 airstrikes on different positions in Idlib and Latakia countryside, but they left no fatalities. Here are further details of these airstrikes:
- November 6: Russian fighter jets executed four airstrikes on Al-Basel forests to the west of Idlib city.
- November 21: Russian fighter jets executed four airstrikes on the hills of Kabana in Latakia countryside.
- November 21: Russian fighter jets executed six airstrikes on Bab Al-Hawa area in the northern countryside of Idlib.
Hundreds of shells hit more than 55 positions
Beside the repeated Russian airstrikes on the “de-escalation zone,” regime ground attacks also continued in September. SOHR sources reported that more than 2,300 artillery shells and rockets were fired by the regime forces and their loyal militias on military and residential positions in areas under the control of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS) and the Jihadist groups and factions. The attacks targeted 55 positions in the rural areas of Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and Latakia.
Regime attacks are distributed regionally as follows:
- Aleppo: 500 shells and rockets hit Darat Izza city, the villages of Al-Wasetah, Kafr Nouran, Kafr Amah, Al-Sheikh Suleiman, Taqad, Tadeel, Kafr Taal and the surrounding areas of Al-Atareb.
- Idlib: 1,000 shells and rockets hit five camps to the west of Idlib city, Qalb Al-Louzah, Bayanin, Hursh Bayanin, Sfouhen, Al-Rouwayah, Al-Fatirah, Kansafra, Al-Mawzarah, Maarrat Aliya, Deir Sonbul, Ain Larouz, Al-Barah, Maarat Al-Naasan, Ghaniyah, Sheikh Sandyan, Marj Al-Zuhour, Fulayfel, Mantaf, Maarbleet, Kadourah, Saan, the surrounding areas of Sarmin, Afes, Musaybeen, Al-Nayreb and Ariha.
- Hama: 600 shells and rockets hit Al-Sarmaniya, Al-Mashik, Al-Ankawi, Kharbah Al-Naqous, Tel Waset, Al-Mansourah, Al-Qarqour, Al-Ziyyarah and Al-Qahera.
- Latakia countryside: 200 shells and rockets hit Al-Tuffahiyah frontline, Al-Saffiyyat, the hills of Kabanah, Deir Al-Akrad and other frontline in Jabal Al-Turkman.
Ground bombardment and clashes leave casualties
SOHR activists documented the death of 46 people due to ground bombardment and attacks in “Putin-Erdogan” area in October; they are as follows:
- 13 civilians, including ten people: two women, three children and five men, including a man who had been forcibly repatriated from Turkey, were killed in a massacre committed by regime forces.
- 25 members of regime forces, including ten officers.
- Eight members of rebel and jihadist factions.
Here are further details:
-Civilians
- November 5: A civilian was killed in bombardment by regime forces on a workshop for harvesting olive in Kafrlatah in Jabal Al-Zawiyah in the southern countryside of Idlib.
- November 6: Ten civilians: two women, three children and five men, including a man who had been forcibly repatriated from Turkey, were killed in a massacre committed by regime forces which shelled refugee camps to the west of Idlib.
- November 14: An olive worker was killed in artillery fire by regime forces on the vicinity of Saan and Maarabaleet villages in east Idlib countryside.
- November 23: A civilian was killed in artillery fire by regime forces on Afes village in east Idlib countryside.
-Regime forces
- November 4: Five regime soldiers were killed in a rocket attack by opposition faction, which targeted regime posts in Sahl Al-Ghab. The attack coincided with the flight of armed drones affiliated to opposition factions, which also attacked military positions in that area.
- November 7: A regime first lieutenant was shot dead by factions of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room on the frontlines of the northern countryside of Latakia, in the “de-escalation zone.”
- November 8: 13 members of regime forces, including eight officers, were killed due to two operations by HTS members on Sahl Al-Ghab frontline north western of Hama.
- November 12: A regime soldier was killed in bombardment by factions of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room on military positions in the southern countryside of Idlib, in the “de-escalation zone.”
- November 14: A regime soldier was shot dead by a sniper of a faction of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room at Qobtan Al-Jabal frontline in west Aleppo countryside.
- November 15: A regime soldier was shot dead by a sniper of a faction of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room on Dadikh frontline in east Idlib countryside.
- November 17: A regime soldier was killed in attack by factions of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room on frontlines of south Idlib countryside.
- November 24: A regime soldier was shot dead by a sniper of a faction of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room on the frontline of Basartoun village in the western countryside of Aleppo.
- November 26: A regime soldier was shot dead by a sniper of a faction of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room at Qobtan Al-Jabal frontline in west Aleppo countryside.
-Opposition factions
- November 2: A member of a faction of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room was killed in artillery fire by regime forces on the 46th Regiment frontline in west Aleppo countryside within the “de-escalation zone.”
- November 2: A member of “Omar Ibn Al-Khattab” Brigade of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham was killed in regime artillery fire on Aleppo countryside.
- November 7: Three members of the HTS-backed Al-Asa’eb al-Hamraa (the red headbands) were killed during a suicidal operation by Al-Asa’eb al-Hamraa on regime positions on Jurin frontline in Sahl Al-Ghab in north-western Hama.
- November 10: A member of a faction of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room was killed in bombardment by regime forces on the frontlines of Kafr Taal, Tadil and Bahfis villages in the western countryside of Aleppo.
- November 11: Two members of factions of “Al-Fath Al-Mubin” operations room were killed in artillery fire by regime forces, which targeted the frontlines of Bayanin and Al-Ruwayha in Jabal Al-Zawiyah in the southern countryside of Idlib.
Turkish Brigade withdraws from Idlib
The “de-escalation zone” experienced several military movements by Turkish forces, the most prominent of which can be summarised as follows:
- November 9: Turkish forces conducted an inspection tour in Turkish posts Termanin in Idlib countryside and Darrat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo. The Turkish patrol set off from Al-Jinah post.
- November 11: Turkish forces replaced a large number of troops stationed in the “de-escalation zone,” where the operation lasted from yesterday evening until this morning. According to SOHR sources, seven convoys of the Turkish army left Syria, along with the entry of other seven convoys into Syrian territory, via the crossings of Kherbet Al-Jouz in western Idlib and Bab Al-Hawa in the northern countryside. The recently-arrived convoys comprised tanks, personnel carriers and armoured vehicles.
- November 11: Turkish forces stationed in Tel Balyoun and Mu’taram in Jabal Al-Zawiyah shelled regime positions in Maarrat Al-Nu’man in southern Idlib.
- November 12: A Turkish convoy of nearly 40 armoured vehicles and personnel carriers carrying Turkish soldiers left Idlib, heading to Turkish territory.
- November 18: SOHR sources have reported deployment of Turkish military personnel escorted by armoured vehicles and engineering units to detect planted landmines and IEDs on both sides of Aleppo-Latakia highway (M4), along the part from Ariha city in western Idlib countryside to Muhambel town in the same countryside.
- November 29: A new Turkish military convoy comprising 50 armoured vehicles, personnel carriers and covered trucks carrying logistic supplies and weapons entered Idlib. According to reliable SOHR sources, the also included officers to check the checkpoints in the “de-escalation zone” and check their combat readiness.
It is worth noting that there are nine Turkish brigades in the “de-escalation zone;” each brigade consists of 1,500 soldiers with their full materiel, as well as tanks and heavy vehicles.
UN humanitarian convoy enters “Putin-Erdogan” area
On November 30, a UN convoy crossed into the “de-escalation zone,” via Tarnaba-Saraqeb crossing separating areas controlled by regime forces and their proxies from areas controlled by opposition factions and Hayyaat Tharir Al-Sham in east Idlib countryside.
It is worth noting that this was the ninth UN aid convoy to enter north Syria region in 2022, and the fifth to enter the region after the Security Council decision to extend a vital system for cross-border aid to Syria.
Landmine explosions kill three civilians
SOHR activists documented the death of three civilians, including a child, and injury of another child due to war ordnance explosions in “Putin-Erdogan” area in the past month. Here are further details:
- November 3: A child sustained serious injuries and lost his hand, due to the explosion of an old landmine in Maarrat Al-Na’san town in east Idlib countryside.
- November 19: A man was killed by the explosion of an unexploded projectile while he was picking olive nearby Kafr Taal town in the western countryside of Aleppo, near frontlines with regime-controlled areas.
- November 20: A child was killed by the explosion of an unexploded cluster bomb in a farmland on the outskirts of Jisr Al-Shughour city west of Idlib, while he was herding sheep.
- November 29: A civilian was killed by the explosion of an unexploded projectile while picking oil in the vicinity of Majdalia village in Idlib countryside.
In the same context, SOHR activists documented, on November 2, the death of a civilian due to the explosion of a grenade, while he was trying to dismantle it in his house in Al-Sahara town in west Aleppo countryside.
One case of suicide and man and new-born baby found dead
SOHR has documented only one case of suicide in the past month, as a young man killed himself by taking a “rice tablet” (tablet of Aluminum Phosphide which is readily available as a fumigant for stored cereal grains) in his house in Iblin town in Jabal Al-Zawiyah, as he was suffering from psychological distress.
Meanwhile, the body of an unidentified person was found, on November 17, buried in agricultural land near Al-Rami town in an area known as “Trowan Jurat Khreisan.” It is worth noting that only bones and clothing were found.
Also, on November 29, a new-born boy was found dead in Deir Hassan area in northern Idlib. The body was buried in Deir Hassan cemetery.
Internal dispute in HTS and terrorists and a suspect wanted by “Interpol” arrested by security services
Also, in November, a dispute erupted among the members of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham, a new HTS-backed brigade was formed and HTS security service managed to arrest a terrorist cell. Here are further details:
On November 8, HTS announced the formation of a new military brigade dubbed “Hamza ibn Abd Al-Muttalib,” headed by Khattab Al-Shami.
While on November 9, four brigades and battalions of Islamic Ahrar Al-Sham suspended work with Ahrar Al-Sham through a statement that read: “We thank the god and pray for peace to our prophet Muhammed and all his company. We, the operating battalions of Islamic Ahrar Al-Sham in Idlib, announce that we are suspending work with Ahrar Al-Sham due to the policy of its leaders in dealing with members of Ahrar Al-Sham and for refusing to listen to advices by those seeking its benefit and unity.” The announcement was signed by Omar Al-Farok Brigade (Idlib) – Ansar Al-Hak Battalion (Ma’arat Al-Na’man) – Ahmed Assaf Battalions (Binsh) –Fajr Al-Islam Brigade (Kafroma). This comes after the brigades of Ahrar Al-Sham, which are: Al-Iman Brigade (Hama) – Al-Khatab Brigade (Al-Ghab) – Al-Nukhba forces of Al-Adiyat Brigade (Al-Ghab) – Al-Sham Brigade (Damascus) – Al-Hamza Battalion (Idlib), issued an announcement to dismiss the leader of Ahrar Al-Sham “Amer Al-Shaikh”, and to appoint the new leader “Yussif Al-Hamawy.”
Also, on November 13, HTS security services surrounded Al-Sham Legion’s building of legitimate authority inside Idlib city, and expel the preachers and Al-Shaikhs from the building, after demanding them to leave urgently without knowing the reasons, amid security tension in the city.
On November 16, HTS security service announced the arrest of Bruno Carbone, the head of the Italian mafia of “Camorra.” The arrested man was on the Interpol’s most wanted list.
Similarly, on November 19, the General Security Service of Hayyaat Tahrir Al-Sham has announced that it had managed to arrest a cell known as “Ansar Allah,” affiliated with ISIS and accused of targeting members of Turkish forces and their proxy factions in Jabal Al-Zawiyah area of the southern countryside of Idlib.
Prices of heating materials increase, further burdening civilians
Inhabitants of refugee camps in Idlib city and countryside use alternative heating materials, such as nut shells, fire logs and pyrene, while some turn to unsafe methods and materials, such as diesel distributed by the “Salvation Government,” used plastic, rubber tyres and primitive wood-burner stoves, in light of the high prices of fuel.
In this context, SOHR documented two fires in Idlib in November, because of the use of unsafe materials. Those fires left a little girl and her mother dead and a man and his three children injured.
On November 24, a man and three of his children sustained various burns as fire engulfed their tent in Banyan camp in the vicinity of Koknaya village in north Idlib countryside due to a primitive wood-burner stove malfunction.
While on November 30, a little girl and her mother died as a fire broke out at their home in Ariha city in southern Idlib countryside.
On November 24, several activists issued a statement, warning against the use of the poor-quality diesel which was imported by the Directorate of Oil Products which is affiliated to the “Salvation Government.” According to the activists, diesel, which is sold in Idlib’s markets in north-west Syria, poses a threat to the region’s residents, as it produces a bad smell, frozen rapidly in cold weather in winter and contains petrol which makes it highly flammable.
The activists demanded HTS give up levies and illegal profits and allow the entry of high-quality diesel at prices close to those in markets in northern Aleppo. They also called upon HTS not to risk the residents’ safety and lives by securing this unsafe diesel in Idlib’s markets.
The Directorate of Oil Products offered diesel in Idlib’s markets for 117 USD per barrel following the campaign launched by activists to exert pressure on the authorities concerned with providing fuel in Idlib.
Meanwhile, the prices of heating materials were noticeably risen as follows:
- Nut shells: 220 up to 320 USD per ton.
- Fire logs: 130 up to 200 USD per ton.
- Coal: 100 up to 320 USD per ton.
- Poor-quality diesel: 117 up to 250 USD per barrel.
HTS creates fuel crisis
HTS-controlled areas experienced a stifling crisis manifested in the acute shortage of fuels, including household gas, petrol and “improved” diesel which is sold for cheaper prices, which led to closing petrol stations and paralysing commercial trade for nearly two weeks. This coincided with the season of olive harvest. However, areas controlled by Turkish forces and their proxies in “Olive Branch” and “Euphrates Shield” areas have not been affected by the crisis.
In this context, HTS security services prevented the entry of vehicles loaded with large amounts of gas cylinders and fuels through Al-Ghazawiyah crossing in Afrin, which is controlled by “Al-Sham Legion” and HTS, while the vehicles were heading towards Idlib from northern Aleppo countryside, and the vehicles were forced to return.
As a result, the price of petrol, when it is available, increased to 24 TL per litre, while a litre of imported diesel is sold for 19.75 TL, amid complete lack of the locally-refined “improved” diesel in Idlib’s markets.
The increasing fuel prices badly impacted residents, as they resulted in raising the prices of drinking water barrels and transportation fees, as well as raising the cost of production in industrial institutions.
Heavy rainfall damage tens of tents in 17 camps in Idlib countryside
Tens of displaced families have been affected by the heavy rainfall which hit refugee camps in northern Idlib on November 17, where tents in 17 camps near Sarmada, Kafr Daryan, Hazanu and Killi were damaged. Residents in those camps are struggling with the poor infrastructure and suspension of support.
As a human rights organisation, we, at the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), call upon all international powers concerned with Syria’s affairs and the international community to intervene immediately and put an end to the bloodshed in Syria, as well as applying international humanitarian laws and keeping civilians away from military operations and conflicts.
We also demand that Russia and Turkey, the “de-escalation” guarantors, comply with the ceasefire agreement and stop all violations, including intensive bombardment and airstrikes, which only affect civilians who seek a safe haven in the “de-escalation zone”, fleeing from the repression of the Syrian regime and its security services.
