Turkish reconnaissance in Idlib to pave way for another de-escalation zone
The Turkish army launched a reconnaissance mission in Syria’s largely jihadist-controlled north-west Idlib province in an attempt to create a de-escalation zone, the military said yesterday.
“The Turkish armed forces began reconnaissance activities on October 8 to establish surveillance posts as part of the operation to be carried out in Idlib province,” the armed forces said.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday the start of the military operation in Syria by pro-Ankara Syrian rebels backed by the Turkish army.
The operation is part of efforts by Turkey, along with Russia and Iran, to set up the zone in line with accords in Astana peace talks aimed at ending the Syrian civil war.
They agreed on four such ceasefire zones in Syria as a prelude to negotiations.
Three zones are in place – in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, in central Homs, and in parts of southern Syria – and are being monitored by Russian military police.
Idlib is largely controlled by Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, a group led by Al Qaeda’s former Syria affiliate, which ousted more moderate rebels in recent months.
The pro-Turkish forces will need to oust Hayat Tahrir Al Sham members in the area to allow Iranian, Russian and Turkish forces to implement the zone.
The last time Turkish forces were engaged in Syria was in August, when Turkey launched its eight-month Euphrates Shield operation against jihadists and Kurdish militia in the northern Syrian province of Aleppo.
“Even if we turn our backs on developments in Syria, can we escape from the results of the crisis?” Mr Erdogan said on Sunday, explaining the reason for Turkey’s latest intervention. “This is why when we don’t go to Syria, Syria comes to us,” he said.
Although Moscow supports Syrian president Bashar Al Assad, while Turkey supports rebels seeking his removal, the two countries have worked together in an effort to end the conflict in the past few months.
Mr Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have met several times since a 2016 reconciliation ended a crisis caused by the shooting down of a Russian warplane over Syria.