Syrian opposition groups in Idlib refuse the withdrawal from the M4 highway

North-Press Agency

The areas under the control of the armed opposition groups in Idlib countryside in north-west of Syria are witnessing tensions, especially after the Turkish statements regarding the armed opposition groups' withdrawal from areas in south of the M4 highway for the scheduled conducting of the Russian-Turkish patrols.

A field source in Idlib confirmed to North-Press that the areas of the opposition groups are witnessing a state of tension, as these groups are rejecting the Turkish statements regarding their withdrawal from southern M4 highway, in order to conduct joint Russian-Turkish patrols along the road.

The source said that the opposition groups and the local people of Arihah and Jisr al-Shughour in the southern and western Idlib countryside are preparing to protest on the M4 highway to prevent the passage of the Russian-Turkish patrols.

As Jaber Basha, the leader in National Front for Liberation, said on his Twitter account, "We will remain attached to our lands, neither surrender nor hand over any inch of the liberated areas."

The recently agreed ceasefire agreement in Moscow regarding the de-escalation zones in north-west of Syria remains consistent, amid the absence of warplanes, except for the Syrian and Russian reconnaissance aircraft.

The Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Erdogan have announced that a ceasefire agreement has been reached regarding Idlib, which took effect on the sixth of March. The agreement between the two sides included the establishment of a safe corridor at a depth of 6 km north of the M4 highway and 6 km to the south of the highest.

It was also agreed to conduct joint Russian-Turkish military patrols on the 15th of March, along the M4 highway between the areas of Tarenba, west of Saraqib and Ain al-Hour, while Turkey reserves the right to respond to attacks of the Syrian government forces.