Ceasefire patrols in Syria are halted by protests

TURKISH AND Russian troops began joint patrols on a key highway in northwestern Syria but they were cut short after protests in rebel-held areas.

The patrols, on the highway known as the M4 in Idlib province, are part of a ceasefire agreement signed earlier this month between Turkey and Russia. It followed fighting between the Turkish military and Syrian government troops.

The vital highway, which runs through northern Syria from the Mediterranean to the Iraqi border, has been partially closed since 2012.

Residents along rebel-held parts of the M4 have protested about Russian troops patrolling because of Moscow’s support for Syrian government forces.

Russia’s defence ministry said “the patrols’ route was shortened” after militants used women and children to block the way.

Syrian opposition activists said residents blocked the highway with burning tyres near the village of Nairab.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor said the joint patrols were not successful as they moved a short distance west of the government-held town of Saraqeb before being stopped by the protests.

It added that jihadi groups have threatened to attack Russian forces on the highway.

Idlib is mostly controlled by al Qaida-linked militants. Ankara backs some of the opposition groups in Idlib, the fighters’ final stronghold against the Russianbacked forces of Syrian president Bashar Assad.

Some 60 Turkish soldiers have been killed in Idlib since the start of February as Syrian troops carried out a ground and air offensive into the province that began in early December.

The assault killed hundreds of civilians and sent one million people fleeing towards the Turkish border.