Turkish military reinforcements arrive in Syria’s Idlib
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – For the second time in 48 hours, Turkish forces advanced on Sunday new military reinforcements to their bases in southern Idlib through the Bab al-Hawa border crossing north of Idlib, northwest Syria.
Military sources told North Press that the first military convoy, consisting of 15 military vehicles, entered on April 8. The second convoy, consisting of 10 military vehicles, entered on Sunday.
The second convoy included vehicles, infantry, and military equipment accompanied by 4WD military vehicles affiliated with Turkish-backed al-Sham Legion.
The reinforcements were deployed to Turkish posts located in Zawiya Mountain, Jisr al-Shughur, in the northern and northwestern countryside of Idlib, in Tel Qastun, Tel al-Zuhour east of Jisr al-Shughur, Tel al-Nabi Ayub, al-Bara and Balyun in Zawiya mountain in southern Idlib.
The sources noted that these reinforcements might be followed by others amid the military escalation that is taking place with government forces in the de-escalation zones in northwest Syria.
The number of Turkish military bases and posts, spread across eastern and southern frontlines reaching the countryside of Hama, exceeds 23 posts and bases located near the M4 and M5 strategic highways, according to the sources.
Although the de-escalation zone in northwest Syria is subject to a Russian-Turkish ceasefire agreement signed in March 2020, the area witnesses frequent mutual bombardment between Syrian government forces and opposition factions accompanied by Russian warplanes’ flight despite the entry of the ceasefire into force.
In March 2020, Russia and Turkey reached an agreement in Moscow that stipulated a ceasefire, the establishment of a safe corridor, and the conduct of joint patrols on the M4/Aleppo-Latakia Highway.