Syrian Army Takes Control of a Key Town in Idlib

* Photograph: SOHR

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The Syrian Army has taken control of Khan Sheikhoun town in Idlib. The town was long under siege. Turkey also has observation points nearby.

Rami Abdurrahman from the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) has indicated that Syrian Army entered the town with ground troops and the rebels have withdrawn from the town. Khan Sheikhoun was controlled by the rebels for almost five years.

As reported by Deutsche Welle Türkçe, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) has also confirmed that the rebels have withdrawn from Khan Sheikhoun.

It has also been reported that serious conflicts erupted between the Syrian Army, which surrounded Khan Sheikhoun, and the rebels the other day. The conflicts continued till yesterday morning. A tank of Syrian Army was also destroyed during the conflicts.

FSA commentary on 'Astana process'

Speaking to the pro-government daily Yeni Şafak, Naci Mustafa, a spokesperson for the Turkey-supported FSA, has stated that the connection between Turkey's observation points and the opposition has been cut:

"The regime and its supporters have attacked not only the opposition towns in Khan Sheikhoun, but Sochi and Astana memorandums as well. Turkish observation points were established to maintain peace in accordance with the agreement." Mustafa has also indicated that Syria and Russia "have once again showed that they do not have any intention of reaching an agreement or establishing peace".

Assad met delegation from Russia the other day

As reported by the SANA, the official news agency of Syria, President Bashar al-Assad received a delegation from the Unity Party of Russia.

"The recent conflicts in Idlib have clearly shown the volume of support provided by Ankara to radical terrorism", Assad said during the meeting.

Russia warned Turkey

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova also made a statement regarding a possible military operation in the east of Euphrates on August 15.

Touching upon Turkey's stance in Syria, she commented on President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's statements on "an operation in the east of Euphrates" in Syria.

In the statement published on the official website of the Foreign Ministry, Zakharova has emphasized that "the approval of Damascus has to be received for all counter terrorism activities to be undertaken in Syria"

Turkey has 12 observation points

Turkey has 12 observation points in Idlib region.

The Syrian Army intervened against the convoy heading for the observation point no. 9 in the south of Khan Sheikhoun. Turkey has announced that it will not leave the observation point.

Making a statement about the issue, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has indicated, "The regime is playing with fire. We will do everything for the safety of our soldiers."

What has happened in Idlib since 2018?

Turkey and Russia signed the "Memorandum on Stabilization of the Situation in the Idlib De-escalation Area" on September 17, 2018.

Making a statement after signing the memorandum, President of Russia Vladimir Putin said, "We reviewed the situation in detail and decided to establish by October 15 a demilitarized area 15–20 km deep along the contact line between the armed opposition and government troops, with radical militants to be withdrawn from the area, including al-Nusra."

The memorandum also refers to Turkey as the guarantor for the militants and to Russia as the guarantor of the Syrian Army.

As of June 2019, former al-Nusra Hayat Tahrir al-Sham has again taken control of Dera, which means that it will control the city since the beginning of 2019.

On the other side, the Syrian Army re-started its airstrikes against the south of Idlib three weeks ago. The Army agreed to a ceasefire on the condition that the Turkey-Russia Memorandum is put into effect. Damascus has broken the ceasefire afterwards.

(PT/SD)