In Idlib, Turkish troops and jihadists are preparing for new battles
In the Syrian province of Idlib, despite the truce agreement, the situation threatens to get out of control.
Russian military correspondent Yevgeny Poddubny, who is now in Syria, writes about this in his telegram channel.
“The Turkish Defense Ministry says that the heavy weapons of the Turkish army will remain at observation posts in Idlib. The militants of HTS and other radical groups that operate in the de-escalation zone are actively digging in, pulling armored vehicles and manpower to the front line, and regrouping. Moreover, the militants are strengthening areas that, according to the Moscow agreement, should be controlled by government forces.
The rhetoric is calm, “on the ground” there is a game of its own. The Turkish military does not demonstrate a strong desire to carry out counter-terrorism operations on Syrian territory, which Ankara controls and is responsible for. The “Spring Shield”, the results of this operation, was supposed to sober up the Turkish military leaders, but so far these actions look like a hangover.
On March 15, a joint Russian-Turkish patrol of the M4 highway is due to take place. There are Turkish proxies on the route. If the security of the convoy is ensured, then the proxies are completely manageable; if these proxies carry out terrorist activities, then the Moscow agreements were simply a way to save the reputation of the ruling circles of Turkey. But. “Spring Shield 2” could become an overwhelming episode for Ankara,” writes Poddubny.
Let us recall that two weeks ago the Turkish army invaded Syria to stop the offensive of government troops against terrorists. During the bloody battles, both sides suffered heavy losses.
As a result, Russia and Turkey agreed on a ceasefire document, according to which the Syrian army retained the territories of Idlib province liberated during the winter campaign.
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