Turkish forces excavate trench in NW Syria
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Turkish forces are excavating a 15 Kilometer trench near Aleppo-Latakia International Highway, aka M4, a military source of the Syrian opposition said on Monday.
“The Turkish forces which are deployed at more than 40 military checkpoints in Idlib Governorate, north Syria, are digging a trench of more than 15 Kilometer near the M4 Highway, starting from the village of Eshtabraq, in the city of Jisr al-Shughur, west of Idlib, to the village of Ziadiyah, eastern Idlib,” the source stated.
“The trench has a width of over four meters and a height exceeding three meters. The digging operation is being conducted using modern Turkish engineering bulldozers. Additionally, a massive earthen berm is being constructed without any available information regarding the purpose behind its construction,” the source added.
Digging the trench comes in tandem with military escalation in northwest Syria, particularly in the countryside of Idlib and Aleppo. This region witnesses attempts of both parties to advance, amid fears of a potential military operation of the Syrian government forces against the region.
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 Highway.