Accra, Sept. 18 - (DPA/GNA) - A deal between Russian and Turkey to set up a demilitarized zone in Idlib seems to have averted what was described as potential "humanitarian nightmare" for the region.
Here are some key aspects of the deal and the current status in Idlib:
Q: What are the key stages of the agreement?
A: A demilitarized zone will be established in Idlib to separate government and rebel forces by October 15. The rebels will hand over their heavy weapons under the supervision of Russia and Turkey by November 10. Syrian state institutions will return to Idlib by the end of the year after the handover of all weapons and the evacuation of armed groups from the residential areas.
Q: Why was Turkey keen to avert the offensive?
A: Turkey had been seeking to prevent a battle in Idlib, near its border, as Syrian state troops backed by Russian air power have been poised for an invasion. A battle over Idlib could drive many of its estimated 3 million civilians northwards into Turkey.
There are 3.54 million Syrians already registered as under "temporary protection" in Turkey, according to the Directorate General of Migration Management. Nearly 564,000 of them are in Istanbul; only 5 per cent (202,358) live in 16 refugee camps in border provinces.
Q: What about international concerns prior to the deal?
A: The United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres had warned that a failure to avoid a full-scale battle for Idlib would unleash “a humanitarian nightmare unlike any seen in the blood-soaked Syrian conflict” so far. The UN said as many as 800,000 people could have been displaced.
Q: Why does Idlib matter to the Syrian government?
A: The north-western province is the last major stronghold of the rebel groups that have been trying to topple Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the past seven years. It borders Latakia province, a main stronghold of al-Assad and home to the biggest Russian airbase in the country. It also borders Turkey, a backer of rebels fighting against al-Assad.
If Idlib falls to the government, the rebels will be left with just a few pockets of territory scattered across the country.
Q: What are the major rebel groups in Idlib?
A: The dominant force is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist alliance led by an al-Qaeda-affiliated group. The group is designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations.
The National Liberation Front NLF, is a Syrian rebel coalition identifying as part of the Free Syrian Army. It was officially announced on 28 May 2018. The formation receives major support from Turkey.
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS