Russia intends to launch military action in Syria’s Idlib – opposition leaders
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Mustafa Sejri, a leader in the Turkish-backed armed opposition, said on Friday, that Russia intends to launch a military operation soon on the Idlib region, northwestern Syria, in order to pressure Turkey.
Sejri posted on his Facebook account that “we are increasing our military readiness in the areas held by the opposition groups in preparation for repelling any possible Russian aggression against the region.”
Sejri’s statements coincided with the statements of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who previously said that Russia’s plans “in Syria will not succeed, as all places that pose a threat to our country are areas of operations for us.”
He pointed out that his country will do its best to reach a permanent solution in Syria that preserves the integrity and unity of Syria and the security of its borders.
Commenting on the statements, a source close to the opposition groups in the north called Abu Obada Idlibi told North Press that the orders to increase readiness during this period include only the Idlib groups.
Idlibi said, “In the current situation, Russia will launch a battle from the mountains of the coast and the hills of Kabina in Latakia countryside.”
Russia has recently intensified its statements, stressing that Turkey must separate the moderate opposition from extremists in addition to securing the M4 Aleppo-Latakia Highway, according to the March 5th agreement.
According to observers, there is an increasing fear of Russian military pressure on Turkey throughout Idlib in light of its military support for Azerbaijan against Russian-backed Armenia.
Mustafa Agaoglu, a Turkish political analyst, believes that it is too early to speculate on Russian intentions, and Russia will not clash with Turkey, especially since “Syria is a small detail to Russia.”
Agaoglu said, “Russia is trying hard to get the gun back in the hands of the Syrian state, and it has been working within this strategy for a long time.”
He pointed out that the various militias, including the Iranian ones, are trying by various means to reach and control these places and are working with the same strategy as Russia in order to bypass sanctions, start the reconstruction phase, and impose its influence on the region.
These developments, if they happen, will lead to the cancellation of the S-400 deal and military cooperation between Russia and Turkey, according to Agaoglu.
However, he ruled that out, given the gains that Russia will achieve from the survival of its military cooperation with Turkey, as it is considered more important than the separation process or entering into a battle.
Agaoglu added that there are many possible scenarios, but that if military developments evolve, Russia is not likely to be directly present in any clashes.