Hayat Tahrir al-Sham: Turkey will withdraw from all besieged observation posts in northwest Syria
ISTANBUL, Syria (North Press) – A source from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS, formerly al-Nusra Front) said on Sunday that Turkey is preparing to evacuate the 12 observation posts located in the areas controlled by the Syrian government, amid the continued sending of military reinforcements to other areas.
On Saturday, Turkish forces continued the process of withdrawing from Sarman observation point, located near the city of Saraqeb east of Idlib, in preparation for its complete withdrawal.
Ayham Abu Faris told North Press that the sending of military forces has continued since last March and had not stopped as Turkey strengthens its military position in anticipation of any military action by Syrian government forces and Russia.
Turkey continues to send more reinforcements to its forces stationed in Zawiya Mountain, south of Idlib, amid talk of sending many military convoys to that area.
Hamid Osmanoglu, who is interested in Turkish affairs, told North Press, “The withdrawal from the besieged points was according to a Russian-Turkish understanding, because these points are no longer necessary after the regime’s control of those areas.”
Osmanoglu believes that at the present time that Turkey and Russia have an interest in escalation, “because of the situation in Azerbaijan and the process of deploying monitoring forces by both sides.”
Turkey is also under pressure from its European allies due to its activity in oil exploration in the Mediterranean and the agreement signed between the Libyan parties.
“Idlib could be a target for the regime and the Iranians if they are pressured in the next stage, especially after the new US administration takes over,” Osmanoglu explained. “Everyone is waiting for the American administration and the way it approaches the Syrian regime and Iran.”
Obeida Abu Omar, a journalist specializing in Turkish and international affairs, told North Press that “the withdrawal of Turkish points and their re-deployment again is an indication of a new military strategy for the Turks.”
He added, “Turkey wants to strengthen Zawiya Mountain, because it is the southern gateway to Idlib now, and its fate will affect the fate of the M4 highway…this is a fateful decision for Turkey, which does not want to forfeit its interests.”