Turkish reinforcements arrive in de-escalation zone in NW Syria
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Turkish forces sent on Monday night a new military convoy consisting of military and logistic supplies to the de-escalation zone in northwestern Syria a day after Russian airstrikes targeted the area.
Military sources told North Press that a Turkish military convoy consisting of over 14 military and logistical vehicles, including armored vehicles, entered Syrian territory through Kafr Lossin border crossing and headed towards Turkish posts in the city of al-Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo.
The convoy included 12 armored vehicles with two trucks carrying ammunition and logistic supplies to reinforce Turkish posts near contact lines with government forces, the sources added.
The Turkish reinforcements came 24 hours after Russian warplanes targeted the vicinity of the city of Idlib.
The number of Turkish military bases and checkpoints deployed on the Idlib frontlines, southwards to Hama countryside, has increased to 23 posts and bases that overlook the strategic M4 and M5 Highways.
This is the third military convoy sent during August. On August 12, Turkey sent similar reinforcements to southern Idlib.
Although the de-escalation zone in northwest Syria is subject to a Russian-Turkish ceasefire agreement signed in March 2020, the area witnesses frequent mutual bombardment despite the entry of the ceasefire into force.
In March 2020, Russia and Turkey reached an agreement in Moscow that stipulated a ceasefire, the establishment of a safe corridor, and the conduct of joint patrols on the M4/Aleppo-Latakia Highway.
The M4 Highway runs from Latakia to Saraqib, southeast of Idlib. It also connects Ariha and Jisr al-Shughur in the southern and southwestern countryside of Idlib. Its length is 120 km. It arrives until Aleppo, and from there, it has been expanded as a two-lane expressway that continues further east into the Iraqi border, ultimately reaching its destination at Mosul.