IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – Residents of Idlib, northwestern Syria, are cautiously awaiting their future at a time when Turkey is deploying weapons and armed groups in Idlib and Aleppo along the frontlines with Syrian government forces, according to military sources.
Leaders of armed opposition groups close to Turkey said that government forces are getting ready for a battle in Idlib governorate, which is included in the de-escalation agreement signed between Russia and Turkey.
According to those leaders, Turkey’s withdrawal from the 9th observation point in the city of Morek, in Hama’s northern countryside, comes within the framework of reorganizing and redeploying its forces in Idlib governorate in accordance with readiness for the next phase.
Locals fear Turkey’s abandonment and the repetition of what had taken place before, concerning withdrawing from regions in the Hama countryside for government forces to enter.
Regarding the opposition’s preparations for the battles, Youssef Hammoud, spokesman of the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), told North Press that all legions and squads are now subjected to training camps.
“The training includes tactics of night fighting and the confirmation of the fighters’ readiness for potential battles with the government forces,” Hammoud added.
A military source from the opposition groups told North Press that Turkey informed the armed groups about the Russians’ request regarding the opposition’s heavy weapons disarmament in the M4 Highway area and opening the highway under Russian-Turkish sponsorship.
Turkey also informed the groups’ leaders of a potential Russian military operation near the M4 Highway, according to the same source.
“Both the Russians and the Syrian regime are known for not committing to the international agreements; a military action by them is expected at any time,” Mustafa Bakkour, spokesman of the Army of Glory (Jaysh al-Izza, an armed group affiliated with the SNA) told North Press.
Turkey set up 12 observation points in northern Syria within the de-escalation zones in Idlib governorate, distributed in the villages and towns of Salwa, Sama’an Castle, Jabal Sheikh Aqil, Anadan, al-Ees, the Southern al-Rashedeen neighborhood in the Aleppo countryside, al-Sorman Silos, Tal-al-Toqan, Ishtarbaq Hill in Idlib countryside, the outskirts of Morek city, Sher-Maghar village in Jabal Shahshabo in the Hama countryside, and in the village of al-Zaytouna in Latakia countryside.
On October 20, the Turkish forces evacuated one of their points in northwestern Syria, in the city of Morek in the northern countryside of Hama.