2 militant groups reject the demilitarized zone in Idlib in Syria


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BEIRUT – Two insurgent groups have rejected an agreement reached this month between Russia and Turkey to establish a demilitarized zone in the Syrian region of Idlib, one of them saying on Sunday that the agreement aims to " to bury the revolution ".

The rejection by some jihadist groups of the Russian-Turkish agreement highlights the problems that the agreement could face in the coming weeks, with the demilitarized zone being planned for mid-October.

It also points to divisions between insurgent factions, with some Turkish-backed groups, such as the National Front for Liberation, hailing this initiative, which has averted a massive government offensive on Idlib.

Horas al-Din, Arab for the guardians of religion, called for the creation of an area 15 to 20 kilometers deep, with Russian troops and NATO members who will conduct coordinated patrols . . "

The group is composed mainly of Al Qaeda fighters who have split from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Arab for the Levant Liberation Committee, the largest militant group in the Idlib province.

Mr. Horas al-Din on Saturday urged supporters around the world to come to Syria "to help the people of the Levant".

Another group of jihadists, Ansar al-Din Front, on Sunday issued a social media statement from the Syrian opposition calling on all insurgent groups in Idlib "during this critical period to overcome their differences because of the existential battle. . "

The al-Qaeda-linked HTS has not yet said he agreed to the agreement, but some of his prominent foreign commanders, such as Abu Yaqzan al-Masri's Egypt, have already said that the insurgents should not hand over their weapons and continue to fight Russian and Syrian government forces.

Idlib is the last major rebel stronghold in Syria.

On Friday, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said that the borders of the demilitarized zone had been determined with their Russian counterparts.

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