A Russian-Turkish agreement to reduce latter's military presence in Idlib

Russian media quoted a Turkish source as saying that “a Russian technical delegation presented, on Tuesday, during a meeting held at the Turkish Foreign Ministry’s headquarters, proposals on reducing the number of (observation points) for the Turkish army in Idlib, but the two sides were unable to reach an agreement in this regard.”

The source added, "After the Turkish side refused to withdraw its (observation points) and insisted on maintaining them, it was decided to reduce the number of Turkish forces present in Idlib and to withdraw heavy weapons from the area."

The Turkish occupation has brought a large number of military forces into the countryside of Idlib under the pretext of strengthening the so-called observation points.

Both Russia and Turkey had concluded several agreements earlier that provided for a ceasefire, de-escalation and withdrawal of heavy weapons, but all of them did not last for long.

Turkey occupies the Syrian territories under the name of "observation points", which are more than 68 points, which it began establishing as of May 2017, in agreement with Russia and Iran, partners of the so-called "Astana guarantors".

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights documented the entry of more than 6,500 military vehicles and 12,800 Turkish soldiers to the Syrian territories since February 2 of this year.

J.O