Illustrative image, by SANA
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Iranian-backed forces handed over their positions around the key town of al-Hadher in the southwestern Aleppo countryside to Russian forces on May 17 and withdrew to nearby Izzan Mount, the Syrian pro-opposition news outlet Enab Baladi reported on May 18.
Syrian pro-government sources said the Russian Military Police will establish an observation post in al-Hadher in order to monitor the de-escalation zone in the southwestern Aleppo countryside.
The Turkish Army established a similar observation post in the town of al-Eis, only 3km west of al-Hadher town, on February 5 in order to monitor the same de-escalation zone.
The establishment of these Russian and Turkish observation posts was agreed upon during the Astana talks. These posts are a part of a bigger plan that’s aimed at opening the strategic highway between the cities of Hama and Aleppo, according to Syrian opposition sources.
Local observers believe that Russia will establish more observation posts in the southwestern Aleppo countryside, northern Hama countryside and the northwestern Hama countryside during the upcoming days.
