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)
TT

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.



Meeting with Syrian Interim Govt was 'Good Opportunity' for Diplomacy, Berlin Says

A person holds a Syrian opposition flag with the word "Freedom" on it during a demonstration celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid, Spain, December 8, 2024. (Reuters)
A person holds a Syrian opposition flag with the word "Freedom" on it during a demonstration celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid, Spain, December 8, 2024. (Reuters)
TT

Meeting with Syrian Interim Govt was 'Good Opportunity' for Diplomacy, Berlin Says

A person holds a Syrian opposition flag with the word "Freedom" on it during a demonstration celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid, Spain, December 8, 2024. (Reuters)
A person holds a Syrian opposition flag with the word "Freedom" on it during a demonstration celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid, Spain, December 8, 2024. (Reuters)

German diplomats' meeting with members of the Syrian interim government was a good opportunity to make contact with the country's new rulers, a German foreign ministry spokesperson said.

"This was the first good opportunity to get in touch with HTS and the de facto guardians in Damascus," the spokesperson said, referring to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Islamist group left in charge following the ouster of president Bashar al-Assad, Reuters reported.

Tuesday's talks in Damascus focused on stabilizing Syria and looked at ways to resume Germany's diplomatic presence there, according to the spokesperson.