On April 10, the Turkish military deployed more construction materials in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a convoy of 15 vehicles carrying building blocks, engineering equipment and military gear entered the Syrian region from the Kafr Lusin border crossing.
The Turkish military is using these materials to establish new posts along the M4 highway. The strategic highway links the coastal city of Lattakia with Aleppo city.
Turkey committed to reopen the M4 highway under the March 5 agreement with Russia. Turkish and Russian forces are supposed to conduct joint patrols along the highway on regular basis. However, this is yet to happen.
The SOHR revealed that the Turkish military has deployed 2,410 vehicles in Greater Idlib since March 5. More than 50 posts were also established in the region.
It’s still unclear if Turkey is indeed planning to honor its commitments. If Ankara fail to reopen the highway, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies could launch a military operation to do so. This would lead to a large-scale confrontation in Greater Idlib.
