Russia, Turkey Committed to Implementing Idlib Ceasefire Deal

Turkish military vehicles arrive at the Turkish-Syrian border before a joint Turkish-Russian patrol in northeast Syria, near the Turkish border town of Kiziltepe in Mardin province, Turkey, November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan
Turkish military vehicles arrive at the Turkish-Syrian border before a joint Turkish-Russian patrol in northeast Syria, near the Turkish border town of Kiziltepe in Mardin province, Turkey, November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan
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Russia, Turkey Committed to Implementing Idlib Ceasefire Deal

Turkish military vehicles arrive at the Turkish-Syrian border before a joint Turkish-Russian patrol in northeast Syria, near the Turkish border town of Kiziltepe in Mardin province, Turkey, November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan
Turkish military vehicles arrive at the Turkish-Syrian border before a joint Turkish-Russian patrol in northeast Syria, near the Turkish border town of Kiziltepe in Mardin province, Turkey, November 1, 2019. REUTERS/Kemal Aslan

Syrian regime forces shelled Kafr Oweid, Balyon, Sfuhen and Al-Fterah in Jabal Al-Zawiyah in the southern countryside of Idlib, destroying public and private properties.

Meanwhile, Turkey dispatched military reinforcements after setting a new checkpoint amid Russian-Turkish confirmation that the Idlib ceasefire agreement will remain effective.

Ankara and Moscow agreed to maintain the coordination in Idlib and the joint patrols along the M4 international road known as the “Aleppo-Lattakia” highway, and to keep up the joint training to secure the road.

A new Turkish military column of nearly 25 vehicles crossed into Syrian territories, via Kafr Lusin crossing in northern Idlib in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The vehicles headed to the Turkish positions in the “de-escalation zone.”

In the same context, the Russian and the Turkish forces conducted their second joint exercises to ensure the security of the joint Russian-Turkish patrol of the M4 highway in the Idlib de-escalation zone.

These patrols were targeted several times by factions that reject the Russian presence and the Turkish agreements with Moscow.

Meanwhile, the Ansar Abu Bakr Brigade claimed an attack Saturday on a Turkish military base in western Idlib province last week, close to the M4 highway in "Ashuraa Operation – Sallat Al-Zuhur.”

A pick-up truck packed with explosives, and an armed attack targeted the Turkish base, killing one from Tell Hamki and injuring several from Sham Legion – assigned to guard the checkpoint.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), the brigade issued a statement dubbed “Ashuraa operation – Sallat Al-Zuhur”, of which SOHR obtained a copy, announcing the identity of the perpetrator, “Abu Suleiman Al-Ansari”, and dismissing local reports on clashes with the Turkish forces.

The statement confirmed that the faction is independent and not subordinate to any other body.

It also warned of getting close to the Turkish posts in Idlib, hinting at the faction’s intention to carry out more attacks on the Turkish forces in the “de-escalation zone.”



Iraqi Govt to Factions: We Are Not Concerned with Israeli-Iranian War

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)
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Iraqi Govt to Factions: We Are Not Concerned with Israeli-Iranian War

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)
Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani holds a meeting with leaders of the Coordination Framework coalition in Baghdad. (X)

Aside from a complaint to the United Nation Security Council against Israel over its violations of Iraq’s airspace, the Baghdad government is acting cautiously as it seeks to avoid become dragged into the conflict between Israel and neighboring Iran.

The authorities in Baghdad and the Iran-backed Coordination Framework realize the dangerous consequences of any action by the Iran-aligned armed factions.

Sources said the government and its allies have taken a “firm decision” to avoid any repercussions from the war and that no one should intervene in it “in any way, shape or form.”

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani held intense contacts with the heads of Shiite parties and factions to deliver one main message: “We are not concerned with taking part in this war.”

Even though they have not acted yet, the pro-Iran factions have stressed that they will not allow Israel to “exploit its position to wipe out their camps and the Popular Mobilization Forces.”

And yet, the factions are aware that their participation in the war will not “yield the desired strategic impact.”

Spokesman for the Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada faction Sheikh Kazem al-Fartousi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the “means at the factions’ disposal are not enough to change the course of the battle where all sorts of deadly missiles, technology and military equipment are being used.”

“The Iraqi authorities have not taken enough measures against the United States, which is backing Israel, and it appears to be helpless in doing anything to protect Iraq’s sovereignty,” he added.

Furthermore, he denied claims that booby-trapped drones had been launched from near the Iraqi-Iranian border. He also denied knowing anything about operations carried out by the armed factions against Israel from Iraqi territory.

They would usually announce their responsibility for such operations, he explained.

Sources said the drones were fired from Iranian military camps located inside Iraq territory near the border.

They added that the Iranians “have not yet decided whether to attack American bases in the region, but there is speculation that they have already prepared a list of targets that they will hit with an unprecedented missile barrage. The bases include Ain al-Assad and Harir in Iraq and bases in eastern Syria.”

A senior Iraqi official, however, said Baghdad had requested from Tehran that it refrain from attacking American interests in Iraq.

The Iranians said they were understanding of the request.

Researcher Nizar Haidar said the Iraqi PM had exerted extraordinary efforts with political leaders from the Coordination Framework to persuade the factions to hold back from attacking American interests.