A number of armed groups in Idleb and its countryside have begun to withdraw their heavy weapons from areas in the demilitarized zone under their control, which was agreed upon between Turkey and Russia, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Turkish intelligence informed the armed groups of the need to withdraw their heavy weapons a distance of 15 to 20 kilometers, where joint Turkish-Russian patrols will occur in the agreed-upon demilitarized zone. The Aleppo-Hama road will also be opened, as well as the Aleppo-Lattakia road, while regime forces will remain at their points.
In a related matter, sources told media about four points of dispute between Moscow and Ankara regarding the Idleb agreement. The first relates to the area of the demilitarized zone, whereby Moscow is trying to include Idleb into it, while Ankara rejects this. The second dispute relates to the Aleppo-Lattakia and Aleppo-Hama roads, which Russia wants Damascus to control, while Ankara is insisting that Russia and Turkey monitor them.
The same sources said that the third point of dispute between Turkey and Russia revolves around the fate of extremist groups, with Turkey wanting to move them towards Kurdish areas while Moscow is insisting on killing the foreigners among them.
The fourth dispute focuses on the length of the agreement, with Russia wanting it to be temporary, whereas Turkey wants it to be permanent, similar to the Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield areas. The Turks expect that the quartet summit in October between Russia, Turkey, France and Britain will help resolve the Idleb issues.
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
