Lavrov: Despite agreements, Jabhat al-Nusra violates demilitarized zone

NEWS DESK

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told a news conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas that the mercenaries of Jabhat al-Nusra control 70 percent of the territory of Idlib in spite of the Russian-Turkish agreements," adding that "Jabhat al-Nusra violates the demilitarized zone in Idlib."

"We are concerned that in Idlib, despite the agreements to establish a demilitarized zone, Jabhat al-Nusra controls and violates the regime of the demilitarized zone. About 70 percent of this demilitarized zone is controlled by terrorists and they are trying to attack the positions of the Syrian army and towns as they try to threaten our base ( Hmemim.)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish Prime Minister Recap Tayyip Erdogan agreed on the establishment of a demilitarized zone of 15-20 km and comprising parts of the provinces of Aleppo, Idlib, Hama and Latakia on  September 17 last year. Under the terms of the agreement, Turkey had to withdraw heavy weapons from its mercenaries and then withdraw the mercenaries from that region until October 15, but Turkey did not fulfill its promises and did not implement the agreement.

As of the beginning of 2019, mercenaries of Jabhat al-Nusra began to control new areas in Idlib and thus control more than 75% of the province.

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ANHA