Deployment of Russian forces near a Turkish point coincides with renewed shelling
North-Press Agency
Russian forces have deployed nearby the 9th Turkish observation point, after being besieged by the Syrian government forces amid increasing casualties among civilians in Idlib governorate as a result of the renewed aerial bombardment.
Photos were posted on social media websites showing patrols of the Russian troops around the 9th Turkish observation point in the region of Morek in Hama northern countryside, days after the Syrian government forces have took control over the area and besieged it.
Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu had earlier denied the besiege of the observation point during his visit to Lebanon. Meanwhile, analysts confirmed to North-Press that the withdrawal of Turkey from this point will affect its prestige and will lead to the withdrawal from all the 12 points which are deployed in north and northwestern Syria.
On the other hand, the aerial and ground bombardments by the Syrian government forces, and the Syrian and Russian fighter jets on different parts of Idlib governorate have been renewed, as the shelling was intensive on the southern part of the governorate.
The air strikes targeted areas such as Kansafra, Bsaqla, Ihsam, Ma’arat Harmah, Kafr Uwaid and Sufohen al-Fatira, killing 4 people including a woman with her child and injuring more than 14.
While the ground forces targeted areas in al-Tah, Jerjanaz, Kafr Nabl and Hish in the southern part of Idlib.
During the shelling that took place in the past 24 hours in the regions of Bsaqla, Ma’arat Harma, Ma’ar Shourin, Talmens, al-Helba and al-Tah, the toll of deaths increased to 15, including 4 children and 3 women.
The deployment of the Syrian government forces has besieged the Turkish observation point, which was set up in the region of Morek on April 4, 2018, where it is the 9th observation point established by Turkey in the area.
There was also a conflict over the future of the point, as whether it would remain in its place or would be moved to the lines of contact between the Syrian government and the opposition.