Opposition military source reveals details on Russian-Turkish understandings in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIb, Syria (North Press)- A source close to the Syrian National Army in northern Syria reported that Russian-Turkish understandings took place recently, allowing the Russians to control the areas south of Aleppo – Latakia highway, and preventing the presence of the Turkish-backed armed group in these areas.
"The Russians are preparing to take control over areas south of the M4 highway, from Zawiya Mountain to Jisr Shughour, with understandings with Turkey," said the source, who takes the title Abu Khalil Idlibi as a name for himself due to security reasons.
Understandings imposed by the scene
Idlibi added in an interview with North Press that, "Idlib has not yet witnessed a real agreement between Russia and Turkey, but rather everything that is happening are merely understandings imposed by the scene."
Idlabi conveyed the fears of the people in north Syria in general and Idlib region in particular, he said that fears lie in a new wave of displacement for the residents of these areas, knowing that Ariha and the nearby areas are witnessing a return of the displaced people after they were evacuated during the battles of February.”
He pointed out that "Turkey has managed to find a foothold on the trade roads of M4 and M5, and what is happening is that Turkey will remain with its soldiers and observation points, however, the opposition will not be allowed to remain in this region."
"The opposition will not remain for one simple reason that there is a decision by the Astana group on this regard, and it has been gradually implemented since the battles of Abu al-Zuhur, with the aim of not embarrassing Turkey and creating a problem on its borders as a result of uncontrolled displacement waves," Idlibi said.
Turkey’s observation posts
He added that "Turkey will remain in its positions, but the problem is that no one talks explicitly about the aims behind the Turkish points, because the Turkish points have great importance after a comprehensive solution in Syria, which is preserving the interests of Turkey that will often come out with partial participation in the reconstruction. "
He explained that "What I understand from Astana is to find a border strip from Derbasiya, through the Peace Spring to the Euphrates Shield, Afrin, and ending in north of Jisr Shughour, which will include opponents to the regime."
The 2019 Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, code-named Operation Peace Spring by the Turkish Armed Forces, was a cross-border military operation conducted by the Turkish military and the Syrian National Army against the Syrian Democratic Forces )SDF).
He said, "Turkey is negotiating to make it a connected area while the Russians are trying to separate between them by various means."
On Wednesday, the joint Russian-Turkish patrol, which started from the town of Tarnaba, west of Saraqib, in the southeastern Idlib countryside, reached the village of Ain Hoor in the countryside of Latakia, which is controlled by Turkish armed opposition groups, and is the last point on the patrol track according to the agreement between the two parties.
Turkish vehicles stopped at Ain Hour point, while the Russian vehicles continued towards the town of Ain Baida, which is under the control of the Syrian government forces.
Syrian Government forces have been sending reinforcements to Idlib for several days with a Russian green light. In addition, Turkey sends more supportive military convoys to its military points in the area, while thousands of displaced people do not know their fate in light of Russian-Turkish understandings that started to be clear.