Russian-Turkish bargains in Idlib, solutions to form Iraqi government

During the past week, Arab newspapers touched upon the situation in Idlib and the scenarios presented, in addition to the repercussions of the Corona virus on Turkey.

Al-Arab: Hayet Tahrir al-Sham is concerned about a Turkish coup d'état in Idlib

The Arab newspapers issued during the past week on the Syrian issue dealt with several topics, the most prominent of which was the situation in Idlib, and in this context, al-Arab newspaper said, "There is a state of alert and restlessness these days within Hayet Tahrir al-Sham ranks led by Fateh al-Sham (formerly al-Nusra) amid growing fears of Turkey's subjection to Russian pressure to expedite the neutralization of Hayet Tahrir al-Sham, which is one of the conditions set by Moscow for the cease-fire in Idlib, which entered into force a month ago."

Circles keeping up the situation in Idlib and its surroundings say that "the factions within Hayet Tahrir al-Sham have redeployed in the areas under their control and other factions in the governorate in parallel with Turkey's continued bringing in more military reinforcements to the region."

The circles indicate that "Hayet Tahrir al-Sham's campaign of arrests among the opposition groups in the past two days, the formation of new military brigades (3 brigades) and the reinforcement of checkpoints, especially near the international road "M4" seem to be a proactive step for any trend to strike its influence in favor of other fighting forces that Ankara claims to be moderate as al-Jabha al-Wataniya.

Before a period, Turkey started regrouping the factions outside Hayet Tahrir al-Sham and annexing them into a unified body amid information that this project is being carried out in an ever-increasing rate.

Turkey has bet on Hayet Tahrir al-Sham as the most solid and organized military force in its expansion project in Syria, and has sought over the past years to preserve Hayet Tahrir al-Sham even though it is listed on the list of international terrorism, but Ankara today finds itself compelled to take the step of dissolving it and reduce its activity, otherwise it will find itself in an asymmetric confrontation with the Russian side which today is watching all its steps in implementing the obligations entrusted to it under the recent agreement, especially since Turkey has already broken its pledges (Sochi Agreement 2018).

Al-Sharq al-Awsat: Borders and ditches mark the "border" between Russia and Turkey

Al-Sharq al-Awsat newspaper followed the situation in Idlib from another point of view and said, "The Syrian regime forces and Russia on the one hand and Turkey and its loyal factions on the other hand have erected earthen berms and trenches in the countryside of Idlib, Aleppo and Hama to define the "border of contact" between the two sides in the northwest of Syria.

The newspaper quoted from activists saying that "the regime forces began with the Russian forces to establish earthen berms, digging trenches, and establishing points similar to guard posts starting from west Hama passing through the northern cities of Halfaya, Taibet al-Imam and Soran to the south of Aleppo city, explaining that this indicates that it is more like demarcating the borders of influence areas between the Turkish and Russian sides, especially since these trenches are being dug behind the Turkish points."

In addition, the regime forces began restoring some parts of the damaged road between Aleppo and Hama a few days ago.

Al-Ain: Turkish dissident: Interior Minister resignation to cover up Erdogan's failure

On the Turkish issue, al-Ain newspaper quoted a Turkish dissident as saying that "the play of the resignation of Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu was intended to cover up the failure of the President Recep Tayyip Erdogan."

Yakut Erdogdo, the deputy chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party, the largest Turkish opposition party, and the parliamentarian of Istanbul said in on Twitter that Soylu tried to cover up Erdogan's failure because he was the one who instructed to impose a sudden curfew that caused chaos.

The tweet came from the Turkish opponent, commenting on the Minister of the Interior on Sunday evening due to public outrage at the sudden decision of the curfew in 31 states to prevent the outbreak of the new Corona virus (Covid-19), which was taken two hours before the curfew coming into effect on Friday evening.

Erdogdo also said in his tweet, "Yes, the main goal of the resignation play is to cover up Erdogan who gave the decision to Black Friday." He continued, "The resignation is formal, its aim is to take responsibility instead of Erdogan who did not accept the resignation."

D.H