Russia, Turkey Agree to Establish Demilitarized Zone in Idlib

“We’ve agreed to create a demilitarized zone between the government troops and militants before October 15. The zone will be 15-20km wide, with full withdrawal of hardline militants from there, including the Jabhat Al-Nusra,” said Putin

Russia, Turkey Agree to Establish Demilitarized Zone in Idlib

Photo: AP

Russia and Turkey have agreed on a “demilitarized zone” between militants and government troops in Idlib in order to prevent further fighting which will lead to humanitarian crisis.  

“We’ve focused on the situation in the province of Idlib, considering the presence of large militant groups and their infrastructure there,” President Putin said at a press conference after his meeting with President Erdogan.

“We’ve agreed to create a demilitarized zone between the government troops and militants before October 15. The zone will be 15-20km wide, with full withdrawal of hardline militants from there, including the Jabhat Al-Nusra,” Putin added.

The two leaders decided to remove all heavy weaponry, including tanks and artillery, from the zone before October 10. The demilitarized zone will be patrolled by Turkish and Russian military units.

Before the end of the year, roads between Aleppo and Hama, and Aleppo and Latakia must be reopened for transit traffic, Putin said, stressing that the agreement has received “general support” from the Syrian government.

The agreement is designed to prevent a new “humanitarian crisis” in Syria and will help Turkey to avoid an even more “difficult situation,” Erdogan said, referring to a surge in refugees fleeing to his country.

About 70 percent of Idlib province is controlled by various terrorist factions, including Al Qaeda’s Syria affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front), according to the Russian military.

 

[Source: RT]

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