Illustrative image.
On July 7, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) shelled the vicinity of a Turkish military post near the town of Qoqfin in the southern part of Syria’s Greater Idlib.
The shelling, which didn’t result in any losses, was likely a response to recent ceasefire violations by al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the de-facto ruler of Greater Idlib, and its allies. These factions continue to receive military support from Turkey.
A day earlier, the SAA responded to attacks by HTS and its allies by destroying a Kornet anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher situated near the town of Hizareen in the southern part of Greater Idlib with a Konkurs ATGM. The launcher’s operators were all killed.
وحدة مضـ.ـادة للـ.ـدروع في الجـ.ـيش العـ.ـربي السوري 🇸🇾 تـ.ـدمر عبر صـ.ـاروخ موجه منصة إطـ.ـلاق للصـ.ـواريخ الموجهة تابعة للإرهـ..ـابيين في محيط حزارين بريف إدلب وتقـ..ـتل طاقـمها. pic.twitter.com/aCStGM4dIA
— SAM 🇸🇾 (@SAMSyria0) July 6, 2021
The ceasefire agreement in Greater Idlib was brokered by Russia and Turkey on March 5, 2020. Under the agreement, Ankara committed to reopen the militant-held part of the Lattakia-Aleppo highway, known as the M4, as well as to contain the region’s militants. None of these commitments have been fulfilled, yet.
Today, Turkey shows unconditional support for militants in Greater Idlib. Ankara has been working only to solidify its military presence in the region.
Despite Ankara’s negative behavior, the ceasefire in Greater Idlib is still holding up. However, this situation may change in the near future.
