Turkey Increases Military Observation Posts to 56 in Idlib

A Turkish soldier walks next to a Turkish military vehicle during a joint U.S.-Turkey patrol, near Tel Abyad, Syria (File Photo: Reuters)
A Turkish soldier walks next to a Turkish military vehicle during a joint U.S.-Turkey patrol, near Tel Abyad, Syria (File Photo: Reuters)
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Turkey Increases Military Observation Posts to 56 in Idlib

A Turkish soldier walks next to a Turkish military vehicle during a joint U.S.-Turkey patrol, near Tel Abyad, Syria (File Photo: Reuters)
A Turkish soldier walks next to a Turkish military vehicle during a joint U.S.-Turkey patrol, near Tel Abyad, Syria (File Photo: Reuters)

Turkey has increased its military observation points in Syria to 56 on Monday after it established a new post in the area of al-Barnas in the western countryside of Idlib.

On the Sunday, the Turkish forces also established three observation posts in the areas of al-Zainiya and Beksarya near Jisr al-Shughur and in al-Farika in the same area.

This came as it announced restricting the movement of its forces in northern Syria because of the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

Turkey also sent new military reinforcements to Idlib province via the Kafr-Lossin border point in northern Idlib, which included dozens of armored military and engineering vehicles.

The convoy headed towards Turkish observation posts in the region.

Meanwhile, Russian and Turkish forces conducted a new joint patrol in east Euphrates region, which started from Ashmah village in the countryside of Ain Al-Arab city (Kobani) and toured villages west of the city.

Last Thursday, Russian and Turkish forces also conducted a joint patrol in Al-Darbasiyah countryside. This patrol kicked off from Sherik border crossing on Turkey's border and toured several villages.



German Minister Says Israeli Occupation of Golan Heights Breaches International Law

 An Israeli military vehicle rides on the Golan Heights side of the ceasefire line with Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, December 18, 2024. (Reuters)
An Israeli military vehicle rides on the Golan Heights side of the ceasefire line with Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, December 18, 2024. (Reuters)
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German Minister Says Israeli Occupation of Golan Heights Breaches International Law

 An Israeli military vehicle rides on the Golan Heights side of the ceasefire line with Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, December 18, 2024. (Reuters)
An Israeli military vehicle rides on the Golan Heights side of the ceasefire line with Syria, as seen from Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, December 18, 2024. (Reuters)

The occupation of the Golan Heights is a violation of international law, Germany's foreign minister said during a speech in the parliament on Wednesday, after the Israeli government decided at the weekend to double its population on the occupied strategic plateau.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also said she would make clear to Türkiye on a visit on Friday that the rights of Kurds in northern Syria must be protected.

Israel will remain on the strategic Mount Hermon site on the Syrian border until another arrangement is found, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.

Israeli troops occupied Mount Hermon when they moved into a demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights following the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government this month.

Officials have described the move as a limited and temporary measure to ensure the security of Israel's borders but have given no indication of when the troops might be withdrawn and Defense Minister Israel Katz last week ordered troops to prepare to remain on Mount Hermon over the winter.

Israel's move into the buffer zone created following the 1973 Arab-Israeli war has been criticized as a violation of international agreements by a number of countries and the United Nations, which have called for the troops to be withdrawn.