Turkish-backed opposition groups in Idlib prevent students to sit exams in Syrian government-held areas

IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Turkish-backed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group on Wednesday prevented students from Syria's northwest city of Idlib from travelling to Syrian government-controlled areas to sit their exams, local sources said.

Dozens of students from Idlib gathered to travel to Hama on Wednesday to sit their exams for basic and secondary education, but HTS opposition groups prevented them, locals told North Press.

"HTS militants threatened drivers to be arrested and confiscate their vehicles, considering any entry to Syrian government areas under any circumstances or interest an explicit betrayal of the revolution and its principles as support for Assad and his allies."

Earlier this week, Syrian government announced the opening of a crossing checkpoint in Tramba village on Ariha- Saraqeb highway in the east of Idlib's countryside.

The checkpoint was opened for students of Idlib to travel to government-held areas to sit exams.

According to the Syrian Ministry of Education, about 2,100 students from Idlib governorate were expected to enter through the checkpoint to sit exams.

Students would be transported in cooperation with the government-backed Syrian Arab Red Crescent from the checkpoint to centers equipped to receive them.