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BEIRUT (Reuters) – The main Syrian jihadist group said on Sunday that it would abide by the terms of a Russian-Turkish agreement aimed at preventing a Syrian government offensive on Idlib, held by rebels, the day before. A critical delay.
FILE PHOTO: A rebel fighter carries his weapon as he passes in front of the turret of a damaged tank at the Mastouma military base, after having seized it, in Idlib on May 20, 2015. REUTERS / Ammar Abdullah / File Photo
Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance led by former al-Qaida affiliate formerly known as Front Nusra, said it took the position after taking the time to "consult."
Although he did not say explicitly that he would respect the agreement, he indicated that he would seek to ensure the safety of the people in the area that he or she was in. it controls and appreciates the efforts made to protect this area, an apparent reference to Turkey.
The other main rebel faction of Idlib, an alliance of groups known as the National Liberation Front and aligned with Turkey, has already expressed support for the deal.
The agreement establishes a deep demilitarized zone of 15 to 20 km on rebel territory, which must be evacuated from all heavy weapons and all jihadist groups no later than Monday, October 15.
Turkey is trying to persuade Tahrir al-Sham to abide by its agreement with the Syrian government's main ally, Russia, to avoid an assault which, he feared, would send a new wave refugees to its border.
However, Tahrir al-Sham also said in his statement, published through his social media, that he would not end his jihad or give his weapons.
Idlib and adjacent areas are the last stronghold of the rebels who rebelled against President Bashar al-Assad in 2011. It is also home to about 3 million people, more than half of whom have already been displaced at least once during the war. .
(This story corrects paragraph 2 to show that the group did not explicitly agree to it.)
Reportage of Angus McDowall; edited by David Stamp
