A new wave of displacement began Sunday in the northern province of Idleb, as residents fear a new offensive by regime forces despite the three-month-long ceasefire.
Khalid Raslan, 35, along five families fled the Jabal al-Zawiya region to the Turkish border on Sunday. Raslan told Zaman Al-Wasl that all residents are expecting an imminent offensive by regime forces and allied militias.
Turkey, which backs rebels opposed to Bashar al-Assad, agreed a ceasefire with Russia in early March after a terrifying three-month air and ground campaign that killed hundreds and sent a million people fleeing towards the Turkish border.
The agreement did not force Assad’s forces to roll back the significant military gains made during the Russian-backed offensive over the past three months — a key Turkish demand prior to the talks.
The regime offensive in Idleb province and parts of Aleppo has displaced more than 1,041,000 people from their homes and killed 700 people, including 91 women, 212 children and 17 rescue workers, the Syrian Response Coordination Group said.
Over the past three months, Turkey has sent hundreds of army vehicles and advanced weapons, setting up about 60 military outposts.
Local observers say Ankara is prepared for any offensive.
The nine-year-old war has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and forced 13 million people from their homes, half of whom have left their shattered homeland.
This article was edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
