Syria rebels think jihadists will quit Idlib buffer zone

AMMAN: Syrian rebels said yesterday they have growing confidence that their jihadist rivals will comply with a requirement to leave a demilitarized buffer zone set up by Turkey and Russia to avert a Russian-backed Syrian army offensive.

Last week Turkey and Russia agreed to enforce a new demilitarized zone in Idlib province from which ‘radical’ rebels will be required to withdraw by the middle of next month.

The position of the biggest jihadist group, Tahrir al- Sham, spearheaded by al Qaeda’s former Syrian offshoot, will be crucial to the deal’s success, but it has so far said nothing.

Several rebel sources said neither jihadist nor mainstream rebels had started to pull back yet.

However, a senior Syrian opposition official said Tahrir al-Sham had sent secret feelers to the Turkish army though third parties in recent days signaling it would comply.

“Matters are moving well and Tahrir al- Sham h as pledged it is going to implement but without announcing its agreement,” said the opposition official, who was briefed by Turkish officials and requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The demilitarized zone will be 15 to 20km deep, run along the contact line between rebel and government fighters, and will be patrolled by Turkish and Russian forces. The agreement could unravel quickly if they cannot impose their plan on the jihadists. — Reuters