Permanent Representative Says Government Will Fight Terrorism, Ensure Return of Refugees without Foreign Interference

Syria, in its eighth year of war, must not miss an opportunity to create the constitutional committee, the top United Nations official tasked with seeking a peaceful resolution to the crisis told the Security Council today, also welcoming the new Russian‑Turkish agreement to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib.

“There is urgency to moving ahead,” said Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura, briefing the Council on the Secretary‑General’s latest report (document S/2018/845). “We cannot afford to keep consulting. It is way too easy to say ‘we will keep consulting’.”

Stressing that Syrians look to the United Nations to facilitate a genuine, credible and inclusive process to end the conflict, he said the constitutional committee is a first step and will comprise three groups: the Government of Syria; a broad opposition delegation; and one comprising Syrian experts, civil society, independents, tribal leaders and women.

While the first two groups have been accepted, he said stakeholders meeting in Astana on 10 and 11 September deeply questioned the composition of the third group. The next month is critical, he continued, expressing readiness to engage all stakeholders, from international players to the Syrian opposition.

On the Russian‑Turkish agreement, he said diplomacy has produced progress in addressing terrorist threats and protecting 3 million civilians in Idlib, expressing hope the accord will be swiftly implemented.

Also briefing the Council, Mark Lowcock, Under‑Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs, said demilitarization in Idlib requires the agreement of all parties. Civilians must be allowed to seek refuge elsewhere.

He said food rations for one week for 350,000 people and non‑food items for 400,000 people have been pre‑positioned in Idlib. Indeed, for civilians, the 17 September agreement could mean merely “a stay of execution” or “the beginning of a reprieve”, the first tiny glint of light at the end of the darkest tunnel.

In the ensuing debate, speakers painted differing pictures of a future Syria, with the representative of the United States calling for the convening of the constitutional committee and urging that a date be set for its first meeting. While the “Astana group” has expressed reservations over membership, said France’s delegate, the time is right to make headway. Establishing a constitutional committee would be a first milestone of establishing peace.

The Russian Federation’s delegate said his country will work towards establishing the constitutional committee. He called for an end to destructive attempts to undermine the achievement of a sustained political settlement, pointing out that the Special Envoy must facilitate, not lead, the process.

Turkey’s delegate explained that, according to the demilitarization agreement, all heavy weaponry will be withdrawn by 10 October, terrorist groups will be removed by 15 October and Turkish‑Russian patrols will be coordinated on both sides of the demilitarized zone. His counterpart from Iran, meanwhile, said the accord is the result of intensive, responsible diplomacy based on the Astana process approach. It is also in line with the views expressed by the Presidents of Iran, Russian Federation and Turkey at the recent Tehran summit to discuss Idlib.

Syria’s delegate said his Government will, without foreign interference, counter terrorism, ensure the return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons, and reconstruct the country, free of terrorists and illegal occupying powers. While not mentioned today, the Russian‑Turkish agreement came about through intensive negotiations between Syria and the Russian Federation, he asserted.

Also speaking today were representatives of Sweden (also on behalf of Kuwait), Equatorial Guinea, Kazakhstan, Côte d’Ivoire, China, Poland, Peru, Ethiopia, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Bolivia.

The meeting began at 10:05 a.m. and ended at 12:40 p.m.

STAFFAN DE MISTURA, Special Envoy for Syria, providing a snapshot of developments, some of which are included in the Secretary‑General’s latest report on the implementation of Security Council resolutions 2139 (2014), 2165 (2014), 2191 (2014), 2258 (2015), 2332 (2016), 2393 (2017) and 2401 (2018) (document S/2018/845). Most recently, the Russian Federation and Turkey reached an agreement on 17 September to establish a de‑escalation zone in Idlib. Diplomacy has produced progress in addressing terrorist threats and protecting up to 3 million civilians, he said, expressing hope the agreement will be swiftly implemented. However, recent air strikes in Damascus involving Israeli jets are a concern, he said, calling on all parties to refrain from military action elsewhere that will exacerbate the situation.

Turning to political developments, he said Syrians look to the United Nations to facilitate a genuine, credible and inclusive process to end the conflict, as mandated by resolution 2254 (2015). On the creation of a constitutional committee, he said that since the Sochi Congress, held earlier in 2018, discussions with stakeholders have led to steps taken towards a Syrian‑owned, Syrian‑led mechanism. An accepted formula for participation allocates one third of the constitutional committee to each of three groups: the Government of Syria; a broad opposition delegation; and one comprising Syrian experts, civil society, independents, tribal leaders and women. While the first two groups have been accepted, stakeholders meeting in Astana on 10 and 11 September deeply questioned the composition of the third group, which the United Nations is mandated to facilitate, and consultations are being held ahead of a related Geneva meeting in October. “There is urgency to moving ahead,” he said. “We cannot afford to keep consulting. It is way too easy to say ‘we will keep consulting’.”

Indeed, the next month is critical, he continued, expressing readiness to engage all stakeholders, from international players to the Syrian opposition. Underlining the importance of Syrians beginning to talk to each other, he said steps must be found to build confidence and create a neutral environment. Without a meaningful and irreversible political process, and without real steps on the ground, the required confidence will not develop, he cautioned, reminding the Council of a need for urgent, concrete action on the release of detainees and abductees, the handover of bodies and the identification of missing persons, all of which are crucial issues affecting thousands of Syrians. In addition, preparations must ultimately be made for United Nations‑supervised presidential and parliamentary elections with all Syrians participating, as called for in resolution 2254 (2015).

“There is no military solution,” he concluded, asking all stakeholders to lend full support to the United Nations and its facilitation role in the matter. “We need an inclusive political process and the United Nations is here to facilitate that process, starting with a constitutional committee getting to work. But, it must be credible because only then can the United Nations invest it with the legitimacy it needs.”

MARK LOWCOCK, Under‑Secretary‑General for Humanitarian Affairs, said the situation is calmer than when he visited Damascus in January. But humanitarian needs remain substantial, and the Government expressed concern to him about the underfunding of the United Nations humanitarian response plan this year. He welcomed the 17 September agreement because — if sustained and implemented in full respect of international humanitarian law — it may avert a catastrophe. To succeed, demilitarization requires the agreement of all parties. Short of that, it is foreseeable that force will be used to demilitarize, and thus, civilians exposed to “the very harm we are trying to avoid”. If it is necessary for civilians to leave, they must be allowed to seek refuge elsewhere, he said, underlining the importance that any screening to distinguish civilians from fighters be undertaken in accordance with international law and clear standard operating procedures.

He said the United Nations, with other humanitarian organizations, continues to implement a major humanitarian assistance programme from across the border in Turkey, supporting an average 2 million people each month in north‑west Syria. This week alone, food for over 260,000 people is being sent across the border, as well as non‑food items and tents for over 60,000 people, most of it through the Bab al‑Hawa crossing into Idlib. Food rations for one week for 350,000 people and non‑food items for 400,000 people have been pre‑positioned in Idlib, with other supplies prepositioned in Homs, Aleppo and Latakia Governorates.

The humanitarian situation remains difficult in other parts of the country, he continued, stressing that approval from Syria’s Government is needed for the convoy to proceed, along with de‑confliction and guarantees of safe passage from the Government, Russian Federation, international coalition forces and Jordan, as well as written guarantees of safe passage by all non‑State armed groups. Further to the north, some 153,000 people are now estimated to have returned to Raqqa city since October 2017. In the south‑west, most of the nearly 325,000 people are estimated to have been displaced since late June. For the 3 million civilians, including 1 million children, in Idlib, the 17 September agreement could mean merely a stay of execution or the beginning of a reprieve, the first “tiny glint of light” at the end of the darkest tunnel.

JAMES JEFFREY (United States) noted that 3 million civilians in Idlib live under the terror of Bashar Al‑Assad and they know all too well his regime’s brutality. A 24‑year‑old woman fled eastern Ghouta — which the Secretary‑General described as “hell on Earth” — to Idlib, where she is on the front line of fighting again and cried when she heard warplanes. Recalling that the United States President said “Syria must not recklessly attack Idlib”, and underscoring the importance of abiding by resolution 2254 (2015), he said Assad should never be welcomed in a civilized nation. As long as Iran and its proxies remain in Syria, there will be no stability. Iran must leave Syria once and for all. The resolution calls for a lasting ceasefire. While welcoming the 17 September agreement on the demilitarized zone, he urged the Russian Federation and Turkey to commit to a lasting ceasefire. He also called for the convening of the constitutional committee in line with that resolution. It is urgent to move forward. The date for convening the first meeting of the committee should be set, he stressed, urging the Council to support this approach.

OLOF SKOOG (Sweden), speaking also on behalf of Kuwait, said that despite the dire situation in Idlib, a political will is present in the region and a cessation of hostilities can be achieved. He called on Turkey and the Russian Federation to implement a respected cessation of hostilities there, which will help separate terrorist groups from armed opposition groups, and requested more information on the 17 September agreement made in Sochi, including on the establishment of a de‑militarized zone. He called on the Astana guarantors to implement their own de‑escalation agreement in Idlib, expressing concern over reports of attacks on medical facilities and underscoring the importance of both the implementation of resolution 2254 (2015) in resolving the situation there, and in parallel, advancing the political process. A full‑scale military operation in Idlib would risk any hope for a sustainable peace settlement in Syria, she said, noting that only once a credible political transition is under way and conditions within the country are safe should the international donor community assist in the reconstruction of Syria.

FRANÇOIS DELATTRE (France) said that as Syria stands at a crossroads on the cusp of an abyss, it could either plunge into a further spiral of violence or choose a political path to peace. Both options are possible and the future hinges on the Council’s ability to unite for peace. Syria has become the preferred incubator for terrorism, and developments in Idlib could cause tensions to spill over the borders and potentially to Europe. Turkey has broadly mobilized to deliver on tangible actions, he said, expressing support for the Russian‑Turkish agreement. Now, the Council must continue to persuade that the path to dialogue is the only avenue to resolving the violence in Idlib. Establishing a constitutional committee would be a first milestone of establishing peace. While the “Astana group” has expressed reservations over membership, the time is right to make headway. He advocated support for the Special Envoy, as well as for an imminent date to establish the committee, making it operational as soon as possible. “We have not a minute to lose,” he warned. “Rebuilding Syria is only possible once a clear political process is established.”

ANATOLIO NDONG MBA (Equatorial Guinea) expressed support for the Russian‑Turkish agreement, particularly the creation of a demilitarized area by 15 October, which would protect many civilian lives. The Special Envoy has helped to guide a political process forward, he said, expressing hope that no parties will prevent progress in that regard. Prioritizing a political solution is critical at a time when armed groups are operating in Idlib, he said, noting that there is no need to make civilians suffer because of a “scorched‑Earth” policy. Turning to the humanitarian front, he said more than 2.1 million people in Idlib are vulnerable and need assistance. All parties to the conflict must show moderation, respecting their obligations under international humanitarian law and protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.

KAIRAT UMAROV (Kazakhstan) said serious progress was made in the political process to resolve the conflict in Idlib Province. Welcoming the memorandum signed on 17 September in Sochi by the Russian Federation and Turkey, he expressed support for the creation of a demilitarized zone in Idlib by 15 October to separate Government forces from rebel fighters. While noting the recent consultations with the so‑called “Small Group” did not end in tangible results, he said such consultations should continue, and that an innovative regional paradigm is needed to support both the Geneva and Astana processes. He urged all sides to act with prudence with regard to threats of chemical weapons use, and called on the international community to provide additional financial support to respond to a potential military escalation in Syria’s north‑west. Expressing concern about the safety of civilians in rural Deir ez‑Zor Governorate, where internally displaced are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, he called on all sides not to block aid, and to make every effort to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

GBOLIÉ DESIRÉ WULFRAN IPO (Côte d’Ivoire) welcomed the multifaceted assistance provided by the United Nations, stressing that civil society organizations are also paying the price with their lives. To date, 22 United Nations staff members and 74 personnel of non‑governmental organizations have lost their lives in the line of duty. Noting that there are 3 million civilians in Idlib, including 1.4 million internally displaced persons, he urged all parties to exercise restraint to avert the tragedy seen in eastern Ghouta and Aleppo. He also called for accountability, noting all crimes must be investigated and prosecuted. A political compromise is necessary, especially on the establishment of the constitutional committee.

MA ZHAOXU (China) welcomed the memorandum between the Russian Federation and Turkey on the demilitarized zone in Idlib, pressing all parties to implement the agreement, which, in turn, would create conditions for a peaceful settlement. It is vital to counter terrorism to consolidate peace. A political solution is the only way out. Expressing support for the Special Envoy’s efforts to form the constitutional committee, as well as the Geneva and Astana processes, he said Syria’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity must be fully respected. On the humanitarian front, the number of returnees is on the rise. The international community should support Syria’s reconstruction and remove the remnants of war, he said, adding that humanitarian relief should remain neutral.

JOANNA WRONECKA (Poland), turning first to the internal dimension of the conflict, said “things are not normalizing”. Although elections were held for the first time since 2001, many had been left out, including refugees. There is no military solution to the conflict; the aim is to reach an intra‑Syrian framework political agreement. It is for Syrians to negotiate themselves, with true representation of the political process. She expressed support for the Syrian‑led inclusive constitutional committee under the auspices of the United Nations in Geneva. Externally, the military offensive continues and human suffering is growing, she said, stressing that nothing can justify indiscriminate attacks on the innocent. There is a special role for the Russian Federation, Turkey and Iran in that regard. Troubled by escalating hostilities in Idlib, and about the severe situation of the most vulnerable victims — notably women, children, religious minorities and internally displaced persons — she said those groups constitute half the population. She called on all stakeholders with influence on the ground — the Russian Federation, Turkey and Iran — to take necessary steps to ensure an end to the fighting.

GUSTAVO MEZA-CUADRA (Peru) raised grave concerns about the continued suffering of Syrians and over the inaction in ameliorating the situation. Fighting terrorism is not an excuse to place at risk millions of people. Welcoming the Russian‑Turkish agreement, particularly in separating terrorist groups from civilians, he supported the recent meeting of the small group of concerned countries, and the progress in related political discussions. Issues must be addressed in order to move forward in the political process, including resolving concerns about missing persons and meeting the needs of displaced persons, who must be able to return to their homes safely and with dignity.

MAHLET HAILU GUADEY (Ethiopia) expressed concern over further military escalation in Idlib where 2.1 million people require humanitarian assistance. Any escalation will endanger millions of civilians and affect the ability of the United Nations and its partners to deliver aid. The targeting of United Nations‑listed terrorist groups must spare no effort to protect civilians, he said, welcoming the agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkey to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib and encouraging those countries to find sustainable solutions to the conflict. The humanitarian tragedy in Syria requires safe, rapid and sustained humanitarian access. The situation cannot be addressed without a Syrian‑owned and –led comprehensive political process facilitated by the United Nations. All stakeholders must support efforts to finalize the establishment of the constitutional committee as there is no military solution to the crisis.

LISE GREGOIRE VAN HAAREN (Netherlands) said the situation in Idlib remains tense, calling the demilitarization agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkey a step in the right direction. Further escalation of violence in Idlib may lead to an international confrontation. Efforts to counter Council‑designated terrorist groups must ensure the protection of civilians and all parties must ensure full respect for international humanitarian law, he said, stressing that credible political processes must be inclusive and representative of all Syrians. Unimpeded and unconditional access for principled humanitarian assistance remains a necessity. The United Nations must remain operative and have free access to enable humanitarian aid throughout Syria. There will be no reconstruction aid for Syria until there is a lasting political solution to the crisis.

KAREN PIERCE (United Kingdom), referring to the agreement in Sochi between Turkey and the Russian Federation, urged both nations, particularly the latter as a permanent Council member, to use their influence and implement their commitments. Otherwise, crimes committed against Syrians are committed in the name of the Russian Federation. She agreed with the positions of the United States, Sweden, the Netherlands and Poland, as well as that of France about its determination, together with the United States and the United Kingdom, to respond to any chemical weapons use. She called for the convening of the constitutional committee, stressing that the date should be set by 31 October. She also expressed support for comments by her counterpart from the Netherlands about reconstruction funds, raising the prospect of inter‑State war and risks of a wider miscalculation. The best way to honour the life of former Secretary‑General Kofi Annan is to bring the Syrian conflict to an end through the Geneva process, she stressed.

VERÓNICA CORDOVA SORIA (Bolivia) said all parties must abide by international humanitarian law to guarantee the protection of civilians, hospitals, schools and aid workers. Part of that protection umbrella includes the swift removal of anti‑personnel mines, particularly to ensure the safe return of displaced persons. She underlined the need to protect the 2.1 million in in need of assistance in Idlib, where security was fragile. Pressing all parties to continue to work towards the full implementation of resolution 2401 (2018), she expressed support for efforts to combat the spread of terrorist groups identified by the Council, and to separate them from civilian populations. The Russian‑Iranian‑Turkish agreement made in Sochi will address those concerns, she said, expressing hope agreements would continue to allow assistance convoys to operate in safe humanitarian corridors. Only a political solution will end the conflict, she emphasized.

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation), noting that the historic Russian‑Turkish agreement will be submitted to the Security Council as an official document, emphasized that, regardless of what some say, the Astana format remains effective. The Russian Federation will work towards establishing the constitutional committee, he said, calling for an end to destructive attempts to undermine the achievement of a sustained political settlement in Syria. The Special Envoy must facilitate, not lead, the process. As such, he called on all relevant actors to lend support for a comprehensive political process. Turning to other concerns, he said it is unseemly to politicize issues pertaining to aid delivery. Also worrisome is the lack of information in the Secretary‑General’s report about developments in Raqqa, a city which the coalition has razed to the ground, causing many casualties.

More broadly, he said action is urgently needed in a range of areas to help Syria, including boosting its economy. In that vein, unilateral sanctions imposed by a number of States are detrimental to ordinary civilians. For its part, the Russian Federation will continue to deliver assistance to Syria. As tens of thousands of Syrians are beginning to return to their country, he said efforts are under way to rebuild, and provide both food and medical services. He cited several terrorist attacks across the country, highlighting that, since July, the Russian Federation’s armed forces destroyed almost 60 drones. Terrorist fighters continue to be funded by parties abroad and efforts are addressing those and related challenges.

BASHAR JA'AFARI (Syria) condemned new Israeli aggression against his country, urging the Council to take necessary measures to hold Israel accountable for such acts. Neither of the briefers today mentioned subversive Israeli actions nor the terrorist groups operating in Syria. It is unacceptable that both failed to mention counter‑terrorism. Recalling that Israel attacked Syria twice this week, he said some Council members are unaware of that fact. Some continue to distort facts, he said, calling out the United Kingdom, United States, France and the Netherlands and explaining how these countries tried to meddle in Syria. Syria’s Government will, without foreign interference, counter terrorism, ensure the return of Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons, and reconstruct the country, free of terrorists and illegal occupying powers. Reconstruction projects allowed the return of displaced Syrians. No speakers today mentioned Syria with regards to the agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkey, however the accord came about through intensive negotiations between Syria and the Russian Federation, he asserted.

FERIDUN HADI SINIRLIOĞLU (Turkey) said the recent Russian‑Turkish agreement represents the determination to find a peaceful solution to the humanitarian disaster in Idlib. The summit also offered an opportunity to discuss ways and means to implement the understanding reached in Tehran, in line with the Astana spirit of cooperation. The agreement aims at, among other things, stabilizing the situation, creating conditions to fight terrorism and pave the way to advance the political process. Highlighting elements of the accord, he said all heavy weaponry will be withdrawn by 10 October, terrorist groups will be removed by 15 October and Turkish‑Russian patrols will be coordinated on both sides of the demilitarized zone. It aims to avert the looming tragedy faced by the people of Idlib. For its part, Turkey wishes to see an acceleration of efforts to establish an inclusive, credible constitutional committee, free and fair elections under United Nations supervision and addressing Syrians’ legitimate aspirations for a democratic future, in line with resolution 2254 (2015).

Reiterating a call to the Council and international community to support such efforts and expedite the political process, he said “our collective efforts to fight terrorism will contribute to the creation of viable conditions to this end”. Turkey and the Russian Federation reaffirmed in Sochi their resolve to fight terrorism in Idlib and beyond. He pledged to continue to combat all terrorist groups seeking to undermine Syria’s territorial integrity and representing a direct threat to Turkey’s national security. “The international community must shoulder its responsibility and throw its weight behind a political solution,” he said. “Millions of Syrians who have suffered tremendously are putting their faith in us. They deserve a better future. They deserve to shape the future of their homeland. We should and cannot fail them.”

GHOLAMALI KHOSHROO (Iran) said the agreement between the Russian Federation and Turkey to create a demilitarized zone in Idlib is a result of intensive, responsible diplomacy, based on the Astana process approach. Stopping violence and eliminating terrorism in the area is central to Iran’s foreign policy. As such, the fight against terrorism in Idlib is crucial to the mission of restoring peace but must not hurt civilians. The agreement is in line with views expressed by the Presidents of Iran, Russian Federation and Turkey at the Tehran summit, he recalled, emphasizing the importance of Syria’s right to sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. He expressed hope that the accord will help end the violence while remaining sensitive to humanitarian concerns. Conducive conditions should be prepared for the safe return of refugees, which will accelerate reconciliation. The right to determine Syria’s future belongs exclusively to Syrians, making the establishment and launch of the constitutional committee critical. Iran will play a constructive role in bringing peace and prosperity to Syria, he said, stressing that claims made by the United States representative are intended to cover up the failure of his country’s policies.

For information media. Not an official record.</s>Russia and Turkey say they have agreed to create a buffer zone in Syria’s northern Idlib province to separate government forces and rebel fighters.

Idlib is the last bastion of anti-government rebels, with fears growing in recent weeks about the likelihood of a devastating offensive by government forces.

President Vladimir Putin said the demilitarised zone will be established by 15 October, while Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu said there will now be no new military operation against Syria’s Idlib by Syrian government forces and their allies.

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“I believe that with this agreement we prevented a humanitarian crisis in Idlib,” Mr Erdogan said.

Russia, the biggest outside backer of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the country’s seven-year civil war, has been preparing for an offensive on Idlib, a city that is controlled by rebels and is home to about three million people.

But after Mr Putin’s talks with Turkish President Erdogan, who has opposed a military operation in Idlib, it has been agreed was that all heavy weapons be withdrawn from the buffer zone, and that what he called radically-minded Islamist fighters, would have to pull out of the zone.

The zone, he said, would be between 15km and 25km (9 to 12 miles) wide and would be patrolled by mobile units of Turkish and Russian troops.

Shape Created with Sketch. Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive Show all 13 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. Fears for 3m people in rebel-held Idlib ahead of regime offensive 1/13 A Syrian protester waves a flag of the opposition as during a protest against the regime and its ally Russia, in the rebel-held town of Maaret al-Numan in the north of Idlib province AFP/Getty 2/13 Syrian rebel fighters from the recently-formed "National Liberation Front" stand guard over a trench as rebels prepare defensive positions in anticipation for an upcoming government forces offensive AFP/Getty Images 3/13 AFP/Getty Images 4/13 Syrian rebel fighters pile-up sandbags AFP/Getty Images 5/13 AFP/Getty Images 6/13 A Syrian rebel fighter looks through an embrasure in a make-shift bunker AFP/Getty Images 7/13 AFP/Getty Images 8/13 Syrian rebel fighters walk through a trench AFP/Getty Images 9/13 A Syrian protester waves a flag of the opposition AFP/Getty Images 10/13 A Syrian rebel fighter stands guard over a trench AFP/Getty Images 11/13 AFP/Getty Images 12/13 AFP/Getty Images 13/13 AFP/Getty Images 1/13 A Syrian protester waves a flag of the opposition as during a protest against the regime and its ally Russia, in the rebel-held town of Maaret al-Numan in the north of Idlib province AFP/Getty 2/13 Syrian rebel fighters from the recently-formed "National Liberation Front" stand guard over a trench as rebels prepare defensive positions in anticipation for an upcoming government forces offensive AFP/Getty Images 3/13 AFP/Getty Images 4/13 Syrian rebel fighters pile-up sandbags AFP/Getty Images 5/13 AFP/Getty Images 6/13 A Syrian rebel fighter looks through an embrasure in a make-shift bunker AFP/Getty Images 7/13 AFP/Getty Images 8/13 Syrian rebel fighters walk through a trench AFP/Getty Images 9/13 A Syrian protester waves a flag of the opposition AFP/Getty Images 10/13 A Syrian rebel fighter stands guard over a trench AFP/Getty Images 11/13 AFP/Getty Images 12/13 AFP/Getty Images 13/13 AFP/Getty Images

It was not immediately clear if the demilitarised zone incorporated the city of Idlib itself; if it did, that would require that some of the rebels pull out of the city.

Ahead of the trip to Russia, Mr Erdogan had said Turkey’s calls for a ceasefire in Idlib region were bearing fruit after days of relative calm but that more work needed to be done.

Mr Putin publicly rebuffed a proposal from Mr Erdogan for a ceasefire there when the two met along with Iran’s president for a three-way summit in Tehran earlier this month.

Syria’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, speaking earlier on Monday, said the Assad government was determined to drive Islamist fighters, including Jabhat al-Nusra , which he described as a terrorist organisation, from Idlib.

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“Our government wants to give priority to reconciliation and to give all necessary measures in order to ensure safe corridors, and to secure the lives of civilians and to provide the basic needs of civilians in cooperation with UN humanitarian agencies,” Ambassador Hussam Edin Aala told the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Reuters</s>Lebanon: Syria accidentally downed a Russian military aircraft with a crew of 15 onboard when its air defences went into action against an alleged Israeli missile strike, the Russian army said Tuesday. The incident, which happened late Monday, was the worst case of friendly fire between the two allies since Russia's game-changing military intervention in September 2015.

The Russian Ilyushin dropped off the radar over the Mediterranean moments after Turkey and Russia announced a deal that offered millions of people reprieve from a threatened military assault in northern Syria.

There was no immediate word from Damascus, but the deadly air war sequence started when missiles struck the coastal region of Latakia on Monday.

Israeli pilots carrying out attacks on Syrian targets "used the Russian plane as a cover, exposing it to fire from Syrian air defences," the Russian military said.

The plane downed by Syria's Russian-made S-200 air defence had a crew of 15, who were all killed, Moscow said.

The Russian government stressed that the incident would have no impact on the Idlib deal but warned Israel of reprisals and summoned its envoy in Moscow.

Moscow had earlier said rockets were fired from a French frigate positioned in the same area of the Mediterranean. The French military denied any involvement. Syria state media reported late Monday that air defences had intercepted missiles targeting Latakia. "Our air defences are countering hostile missiles coming from the sea towards the city of Latakia, and a number of them have been intercepted," it said, quoting a military source.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said some missiles did get through and struck ammunition depots at the site of the technical industries institute.

Rami Abdel Rahman, the head of the Britain-based monitoring group, said at least two fighters were killed and 10 wounded in the strike. "Two bodies were found," he told AFP, adding that he could not immediately confirm whether the casualties were soldiers or militiamen from the forces supporting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Israel, which did not comment on Monday evening's strikes, has conducted frequent raids in recent months against Syria's military infrastructure, including against bases it believes host Iranian combatants. Earlier in September, Israel admitted carrying out 200 strikes in Syria over the past 18 months.

The Syrian blunder came hot on the heels of a major deal announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan after talks in the Russian resort of Sochi. The two main brokers in northern Syria agreed to create a 15-20 kilometre-wide demilitarised zone along the line of contact between rebels and regime troops in the Idlib region.

That would be achieved by 15 October and would entail a withdrawal of all jihadist fighters from the area. The demilitarised zone will be secured with the help of "mobile patrol groups of Turkish contingents and contingents of Russian military police," Putin said.

By the end of the year, transport routes between the key port of Latakia and Aleppo as well as Latakia and the major city of Hama must be restored, he added.

Iran, the third member of the so-called Astana process aimed at ending the seven-year civil war in Syria, praised the deal as an example of "responsible diplomacy."

Damascus, which has regained swathes of territory thanks to deadly Russian-back offensives in recent months, welcomed the Sochi agreement.

Three million people reside in the Idlib region, the last significant chunk of Syria still held by rebels.

The UN had warned that a fully-fledged ground assault aimed at completing Damascus's military reconquest could spark the worst humanitarian catastrophe yet in a conflict that has killed more 360,000.

Observers and residents of the Idlib region were sceptical however of a deal that appeared to be little more than a temporary fix. "This could be a win for diplomacy and that's what Syria needs more of to solve this crisis," said Lorraine Bramwell, country director for the International Rescue Committee. "However, we have seen previously how de-escalation deals haven't lasted long term," she added.

Hundreds of people gathered in Binnish, a town in the rebel-held province of Idlib, following Monday's announcement in Sochi. "The demand of the Syrian people, since the very first day, has remained unchanged: it's the fall of the regime," said Wassim Souweid, one of the demonstrators.

"I reckon this decision will not stop bombardments on civilians, will not offer any alternative to the people," he added.</s>The world once again was taken to the brink of World War 3 Monday night, and the situation is still extremely dangerous. A massive wide-ranging assault on multiple Syrian provinces, including the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus, occurred Monday evening reportedly by Israel and possibly with the help of France or the US, though the Pentagon is denying any US assistance during the assault.

With Syrian and Russian air defenses responding during the over hour-long attack which targeted among other things an alleged chemical weapons research center, and in the confusion of missiles cross the sky, a Russian maritime patrol plane was shot down with 14 personnel on board. The Pentagon is claiming it was Syrian defense which "accidentally" downed the plane, while Russia is pointing out its radar observed a French frigate firing in the area just before the plane went down.

Regardless, this is an incredibly dangerous situation which puts world powers closer to major war. And crucially, the whole event came immediately after Russia and Turkey announced they've agreed to establish a "demilitarized zone" around Idlib.

The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) announced just hours before the reported Israeli attack was initiated that Russia and Turkey have agreed to establish a 15-20km demilitarized zone along Syrian government positions.

This means the widely reported Syrian-Russian offensive is off for the time being, according to the Russian MoD.

But this raises the following questions given the timing of Monday's night's escalation: with Putin negotiating for a 'world power deescalation' over Idlib after the US threatened attack, was Monday's attack part of an Israeli (and Western allies) strategy for keeping regime change in Damascus on the table? Why escalate now?

This at the very least appears a conscious effort to keep the fires burning in Syria, to prevent Putin from being in the driver's seat, and to continue to provoke hostilities with the Tehran-Damascus axis, and to further keep alive the possibility of the eventual military ouster of Assad.

After Monday's meeting with President Erdogan in Sochi, Putin related to reporters the details of the Russia-Turkey-Syria demilitarization deal: "At the meeting, we discussed in detail this situation (in the Idlib governorate) and decided to establish a 15-20km-wide demilitarized zone along the contact line between government troops and the armed opposition by October 15, 2018 and evacuate radical militants, including Jabhat al-Nusra," he said.

Putin explained that at the Turkish president’s initiative, there will be a planned "withdrawal from this zone heavy weapons, tanks, multiple missile launcher systems, artillery systems and mortars of all opposition groups" by October 10". "Control in the demilitarized zone will be exercised by mobile patrol groups of Turkish units and units of Russian military police," Putin said.

He added that the sides agreed to "resume transit traffic along the Aleppo-Latakia and Aleppo-Hama highways by the end of 2018, also at the initiative of the Turkish side."

"Russia and Turkey are working closely to resolve the Syrian crisis, to strengthen the ceasefire and improve the humanitarian situation," Putin said. Putin further said the deal involves Syria agreeing to "coordinated solutions," but that the details of the deal are still being worked out with Damascus.

"In general, the Syrian leadership supports this approach," he said. "We will hold additional consultations with the Syrian authorities soon."

"Russia and Turkey reiterated their commitment to continue anti-terrorism efforts in Syria in any of its forms or manifestations," Putin stressed. "We agreed that practical implementation of the steps we plan will give a fresh impetus to the process of political settlement of the Syrian conflict and will make it possible to invigorate efforts in the Geneva format and will help restore peace in Syria."

Putin also emphasized that the sides will work together to root out terrorists across Syria.

But given Monday night's massive escalation, it doesn't appear Israel or its Western allies want to see to this deal take effect.</s>SYRIA HIT BY MISSILES JUST HOURS AFTER RUSSIA AND TURKEY MAKE DEAL



 

 The U.K.-based, pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights cited its own sources as saying the missiles were either fired by Israel or the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), both of whom have targeted the Syrian government in the past. The activist monitor said that warehouses of the Technical Industries Agency had been targeted and that the skies of Latakia, Tartous and Baniyas were illuminates by explosions that "rocked the coast" and caused power outages in the region.

 

 The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency cited a military source as saying the country's air defenses were engaging "hostile rockets" coming from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea and that the Technical Industries Agency in the coastal city of Latakia was targeted. No casualties have yet been announced as state-run television footage showed missile defenses firing for up to 45 minutes and the Syrian Defense Ministry said a number of incoming missiles had been neutralized.The U.K.-based, pro-opposition Syrian Observatory for Human Rights cited its own sources as saying the missiles were either fired by Israel or the U.S.-led coalition against the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), both of whom have targeted the Syrian government in the past. The activist monitor said that warehouses of the Technical Industries Agency had been targeted and that the skies of Latakia, Tartous and Baniyas were illuminates by explosions that "rocked the coast" and caused power outages in the region.

Missile fire is seen from Damascus, Syria, May 10, 2018. Israel has targeted Syrian military positions suspected of being associated with Iran on multiple occasions and the U.S. has twice attacked Syrian government sites in response to alleged chemical attacks, with support from France and the U.K.OMAR SANADIKI/REUTERS



 

 In a separate incident, the Syrian Defense Ministry blamed Israel for an attack near the Damascus International Airport on Sunday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli warplanes targeted a depot of weapons belonging to Iran or its ally, the Lebanese Shiite Muslim Hezbollah, in that incident. Israel routinely denies commenting on its alleged role in such attacks, but announced last month that it has launched up to 200 strikes in neighboring Syria in the past 

 

 Iran and Russia are allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and have helped him regain most of the country in spite of a 2011 rebellion that was sponsored by the West, Turkey, Israel and Gulf Arab states. While the U.S. and its Western allies have focused on battling ISIS, they have joined Turkey in warning Assad and his international partners from pursuing an all-out assault on Idlib, which has a population of up to 3 million and is dominated by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham coalition.

 

 Turkish President Recep Tayyip visited the Black Sea city of Sochi on Monday to discuss the Idlib situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two 

 

 

 

 In a separate incident, the Syrian Defense Ministry blamed Israel for an attack near the Damascus International Airport on Sunday. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli warplanes targeted a depot of weapons belonging to Iran or its ally, the Lebanese Shiite Muslim Hezbollah, in that incident. Israel routinely denies commenting on its alleged role in such attacks, but announced last month that it has launched up to 200 strikes in neighboring Syria in the past two years in an effort to stem the growing influence there of its top foe Iran.Iran and Russia are allies of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and have helped him regain most of the country in spite of a 2011 rebellion that was sponsored by the West, Turkey, Israel and Gulf Arab states. While the U.S. and its Western allies have focused on battling ISIS, they have joined Turkey in warning Assad and his international partners from pursuing an all-out assault on Idlib, which has a population of up to 3 million and is dominated by the jihadi Hayat Tahrir al-Sham coalition.Turkish President Recep Tayyip visited the Black Sea city of Sochi on Monday to discuss the Idlib situation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and the two struck a deal to create a 15 to 20-kilometer demilitarized zone in Idlib by October 15 as well as to facilitate the withdrawal of jihadi groups and the removal of heavy weapons. Turkey and the West have warned of a humanitarian crisis should the Syrian military move to retake Idlib, where militants have launched drone attacks and have shelled government-held cities.

A map shows areas of control in northwestern Syria as of September 13 and strategic areas likely to be targeted by the Syrian military in the event of an operation to retake the last province under the control of an Islamist-led insurgency.INSTITUTE FOR THE STUDY OF WAR/SURIYE GÜNDEMI/REUTERS



 The U.S. and Russia both have a heavy military presence in the Mediterranean Sea and Russia has two major installations on the coast: the Hmeymim air base near Latakia and a naval facility in Tartous. The two powers have warned one another against intervening in Idlib and Moscow recently staged large-scale exercises as a war of words with Washington began to heat up.

 

 The U.S. has previously attacked Syrian government sites twice in response to alleged chemical weapons attacks and threatened further action should poison gas be used. Russia, Iran and Syria have claimed the West was conspiring with local militants to stage a chemical incident to falsely provoke international action.</s>One of the darkest fears about the conflict in Syria, particularly since Russia began its full-fledged military intervention in 2015, was that through miscommunication or overreaction, the increasing number of foreign militaries operating in the country could come into direct conflict with each other, sparking a wider, more dangerous war. (More dangerous, that is, for countries other than Syria. For Syrians, it’s been an unmitigated hell for seven years.) It’s either relieving or profoundly depressing to note that as this dangerous scenario now happens with some regularity, the various actors around Syria simply shrug and go on with their grim business.

The latest incident took place Monday when Syrian anti-aircraft missiles shot down a Russian warplane off the coast near the city of Latakia, where Russia has an air base, killing 15 personnel on board. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Russia blamed not its Syrian allies but the Israelis. According to the Russian defense ministry, Israeli jets in the area put the Russian Il-20 in the path of Syrian air defense systems. In a Twitter statement, the Israel Defense Forces acknowledged carrying out an airstrike against a “facility of the Syrian Armed Forces” but said its jets were back in Israeli airspace by the time the Russian plane was fired upon. The IDF said it held the Assad regime, along with Iran and Hezbollah, responsible for the incident.

Either way, the diplomatic spat ended quickly. After a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Putin blamed the incident on a “chain of tragic accidental circumstances.”

Russia and Israel certainly aren’t allies when it comes to Syria. Russia, along with Iran, is the main backer of the Assad regime, while Israel has been waging a quiet war against Iranian proxies in Syria. Israel has increased those airstrikes this year, including Saturday’s attack on an Iranian arms shipment at the Damascus airport. Russia has generally not objected to these strikes and receives warning of them via a deconfliction system (though there have been some close calls involving Israeli strikes on facilities where Russian personnel are present).

Netanyahu and Putin have had a number of recent high-profile meetings, including one in July after which the Israeli leader said that Russia had agreed to keep Iranian forces away from Israel in exchange for Israel accepting Assad’s continued rule. A few days later, Israeli concerns appear to have been a major topic at the Trump-Putin summit in Helsinki. Putin would like to be the leader that negotiates a peaceful end-state in Syria—on his terms, naturally—and knows that he can’t do that unless the Israelis feel relatively secure, a tall order given that leaving Iranian-backed Assad in power will likely be part of any final deal.

All of this is to say that even if the Russians are fed up with Israel conducting airstrikes near them and blame the Israelis for the killing of 15 troops on Monday, there’s little political incentive for Putin to make a big deal about it.

This is becoming something of a pattern after Russians are killed not by rebels or terrorists but by other countries’ militaries. The most obvious comparison for this incident is the 2015 downing of a Russian fighter jet by Turkish F-16s in 2015.

While this was a major diplomatic incident at the time, Russian-Turkish relations have improved dramatically since then, as both countries’ relations with Europe and the United States have declined. Earlier on Monday, Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a potentially major deal to forestall a disastrous military offensive in Idlib.

There was also this year’s incident in February, when the U.S. launched an airstrike against pro-Assad forces believed to be attacking Kurdish positions, killing a number of Russians—estimates range from “dozens” to about 300—embedded in their ranks. Even as Secretary of State Mike Pompeo boasted about killing “a couple hundred Russians” in his confirmation hearings, Russian statements on the incidents have downplayed the attack, stressing that the men killed were “volunteers” rather than Russian army personnel.

Russia is in a very strange position in Syria. It’s arguably the key outside actor in the conflict and, more impressively, has decent relationships, or at least working relationships, with most of the other key players, many of whom are in open conflict with each other: the Assad regime, the Saudis and the Gulf states, Iran, Israel, Turkey, the Kurds, the United States. (That last one’s a little more complicated.)

Because of these delicate relationships, Russia does not appear to be in a position to respond or even voice major objections when one of those actors kills its troops, accidentally or in some cases deliberately. This can’t be an encouraging message for the troops and “volunteers” in Syria who Putin is putting in harm’s way.</s>The leaders of Russia and Turkey agreed Monday to establish a demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib region, the last major stronghold of anti-government rebels where fears had been running high of a devastating offensive by government forces.

READ MORE: Stage set for final bloody showdown in Syria — a ‘catastrophe’ in the making

The zone will be established by Oct. 15 and be 15-20 kilometres deep, with troops from Russia and NATO-member Turkey conducting coordinated patrols, President Vladimir Putin said at the end of a more than three-hour meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi.

The deal marked a significant agreement between the two leaders and effectively delays an offensive by Syria and its Russian and Iranian allies, one that Turkey fears would create a humanitarian crisis near its border.

Putin said “radical militants” would have to withdraw from the zone. Among them would be those from the al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham — Arabic for Levant Liberation Committee. The group denies it is linked to al-Qaida.

It was not immediately clear exactly how the deal would be implemented in the province, which is home to more than three million Syrians and an estimated 60,000 rebel fighters from various groups.

“I believe that with this agreement we prevented a great humanitarian crisis in Idlib,” Erdogan said at a joint briefing with Putin.

Turkey has been eager to prevent an assault by Syrian government troops in the province.

Putin said he believed the agreement on Idlib could hasten final resolution of Syria’s long and devastating civil war.

“We agreed that practical implementation of the steps we plan will give a fresh impetus to the process of political settlement of the Syrian conflict and will make it possible to invigorate efforts in the Geneva format and will help restore peace in Syria,” he said.

Asked whether Syrian President Bashar Assad’s government agreed with the Putin-Erdogan plan, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told reporters in Sochi that “in the coming hours, we will agree with them on all the positions put forth in this document.”

Ahmed Ramadan, a spokesman for the Syrian political opposition in exile, said the agreement offered Russia a chance to walk back its threat against Idlib and represented a success for diplomatic pressure from Turkey and the United States, which was also against an offensive.

Ramadan also said the deal offers the Syrian government and Russia one of their main demands, which is securing the highway that passes through Idlib and links northern Syria with other cities. That was one of the government’s strategic aims in an offensive in Idlib.

“Turkey offered Putin a ladder with which to climb down from the tree, threatening a military offensive in Idlib that had little chance for success,” Ramadan said in a series of text messages with The Associated Press. “The Turkish and U.S. serious pressures were the reason behind Russia abstaining from the offensive and offering an air cover which means Iran alone won’t be able to carry out the offensive with the overstretched forces of the Assad regime.”

READ MORE: Russia, Turkey and Iran plan last-ditch summit to avoid bloodbath in Idlib, Syria

He said Russia has also refrained from its accusations that the rebels are all terrorists. “Russia swallowed all its accusations,” he said. “Turkey is in a strong position.”

He said the zone would be enforced by Turkish patrols on the opposition side and Russian patrols on the government side.

Ramadan added that the opposition was now stronger than when it was after losses in Daraa and Ghouta.

He said the Russians reached the agreement without negotiating it first with the Syrian government, pointing to Shoigu’s comments that Moscow will discuss the deal with the Syrian government later.

WATCH: Turkey calls for ceasefire to avoid ‘bloodbath’ in Syria’s Idlib, Russia disagrees

Abu Omar, a spokesman for the Turkey-backed rebel group Faylaq al-Sham, thanked Erdogan for preventing an offensive and giving the rebels time to defend their rebellion and people. Millions “of civilians in Idlib are in peace,” he tweeted.

He said he was confident that the deal “would not have been possible without the steadfastness of our people and fighters. Thank you, Erdogan.”

Capt. Naji al-Mustafa, a spokesman for the Turkey-backed umbrella group of opposition fighters known as the National Front for Liberation, said diplomatic efforts have prevented a wide-offensive on Idlib but that his group still needs to learn the details of the deal.

READ MORE: Russian and Syrian airstrikes hit Idlib, Syria after failed ceasefire summit

He said the nature of the demilitarized zone and how it would be implemented are not yet clear.

“We need details,” he said, adding that the Assad government has broken many agreements before, including the Russian-Turkey negotiated de-escalation zones.

“We will remain ready for fighting,” he said.

Russia has called Idlib a hotbed of terrorism and had said the Syrian government has the right to retake control of it. In recent weeks, Russian officials repeatedly claimed rebels in Idlib were preparing a chemical weapons attack that could be blamed on the Syrian government and prompt a retaliatory strike by the West.

WATCH: Putin says key task for peace in Syria is to rid Idlib of militants

Turkey had appealed to Russia and Iran, its uneasy negotiating partners, for a diplomatic resolution. At the same time, it has sent reinforcements to its troops ringing Idlib, a move designed to ward off a ground assault, at least for now.

The International Rescue Committee, a New-York based humanitarian group, said the people of Idlib “will rest easier tonight knowing that they are less likely to face an impending assault.”

However, Lorraine Bramwell, the group’s Syria country director, cautioned that previous de-escalation deals didn’t last long.

READ MORE: Syrian government used chemical weapon chlorine three times, U.N. investigators say

“In order to give people in Idlib peace of mind then, this agreement needs to be built upon by the global powers working together to find a lasting political solution that protects civilians,” Bramwell said. “It is also essential that humanitarian organizations are allowed to reach those who will remain in need throughout Idlib, including in any ‘demilitarized zone.’”

Idlib and surrounding areas were quiet Monday, a continuation of the calm that started less than a week ago amid Russia-Turkey talks.</s>SOCHI, Russia: The leaders of Turkey and Russia said on Monday they had agreed to create a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria's Idlib province to separate Syrian government troops from rebel forces, with Turkish and Russian soldiers patrolling the zone to ensure it is respected.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking after talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, said the agreement was that all heavy weapons be withdrawn from the zone, and that "radically-minded" rebels, including the Nusra front, would have to pull out of the zone.

The demilitarized zone will come into force by Oct. 15, Putin told reporters.</s>Syria has welcomed an agreement between Russia and Turkey to create a demilitarised buffer zone by the middle of October in Syria’s Idlib, the last stronghold of opposition rebels.

Syrian state-run news agency SANA quoted a foreign ministry official on Tuesday as saying that the agreement came as a result of “intensive consultations and full coordination’’ between Syria and Russia.

“The Syrian Arab Republic always welcomes any initiative that prevents bloodshed among the Syrians and helps in rebuilding security and stability,’’ the official said.

The source added that Damascus “is continuing its war against terrorism until the liberation of the last inch of the Syrian territory, whether by military operations or by local reconciliations’’.

The buffer zone, which is 15 to 20 square kilometres wide, will separate Syrian troops and rebels in Idlib and is expected to be in place by Oct. 15.

The zone will be monitored by Russian and Turkish forces to provide for the withdrawal of militants, Russian President Vladimir Putin said, adding that this tactic was supported by the Syrian government.

In Syria’s north-west, Idlib is the last remaining rebel bastion after seven years of war.

Turkey has been seeking to prevent a battle in Idlib, near the Turkish border, as Syrian state troops backed by Russian air power have been poised for a military operation to reclaim the territory.

A battle over Idlib could drive masses of its estimated 3 million civilians north into Turkey.</s>THE PRESIDENTS OF Russia and Turkey have said they had agreed to create a “demilitarised zone” around Syria’s Idlib, in a move aimed at preventing a military assault on the rebel-held province.

“We have decided to create a demilitarised zone some 15 to 20 kilometres deep along the line of contact between the armed opposition and regime troops by 15 October of this year,” President Vladimir Putin said after more than four hours of talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

This would entail a “withdrawal of all radical fighters” from Idlib including the Al-Nusra Front, Putin said.

The two leaders also agreed on the withdrawal of “heavy weaponry from this zone”, including tanks, multiple launch rocket systems, and rocket launchers belonging to all armed groups, Putin added.

“Control in the demilitarised zone will be organised together with mobile patrol groups of Turkish contingents and contingents of Russian military police,” he said.

By the end of the year, transportation routes between Latakia and Aleppo as well as Latakia and Hama must be restored, Putin added.

Erdogan said the measures would “prevent a humanitarian crisis”.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that the agreement between Putin and Erdogan meant that no military action would be taken against Idlib, Russian news agencies reported.

Russia-backed forces of the Syrian regime have massed around Idlib province in recent weeks.

That sparked fears of an imminent air and ground attack to retake the last major opposition bastion.
Russia and Turkey announce a demilitarized zone in Syria's Idlib Governorate and rule out any military operations.