(HTS) and Ankara-backed National Front for Liberation (NFL) in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province have raised concerns about a deal to set up de-escalation zones in the region. The deal was brokered between
...the only place on the face of the earth that misses the Ottoman Empire....
, Russia and Iran in September 2017.
The al-Qaeda linked HTS, trying to control key roads in the province, has increased its activity in southern Idlib and the city of Hama and captured some villages from
The festivities led to the death of more than a 100 civilians and fighters, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported.
A separate deal, signed last September in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, said the areas where the festivities took place were due to be cleared of heavy weaponry. The deal also required Russia to ensure the status quo in Idlib and avoid military attacks in the region.
But this deal is not yet fully implemented as Russia launched an
in southern Idlib, resulting in significant damage.In a joint declaration published Friday, local councils in Syria called for the establishment of a humanitarian corridor as a precaution in case the festivities spread to urban areas. The province is home to about 3 million people.
Turkey has 12 observation posts in the region and has raised the alert level as some of the posts, manned by
HTS, which dominates more than half the region, remains the most powerful rebel alliance in Idlib and is considered a terrorist group by Ankara.
Sinan Hatahet, an Istanbul-based expert on Syria, said festivities were expected because HTS has been trying to consolidate its power over Idlib.
"This is a major point of disagreement between Russia, Iran on the one hand, and Turkey on the other. Moscow and Tehran want Turkey to be more assertive to counter HTS in Idlib, but Turkey is not willing to spend any finances and resources for such a fight that is very complicated," he told Arab News.
Ankara had it made it clear that its strategic