Syrian FM says terrorists with heavy weaponry remain in Idlib

"Therefore, the Idlib province is still under control by the terrorists who are supported by Turkey and the West," Muallem said
Monday, 29 October 2018 20:42

Illegal armed groups with heavy weaponry remain in Syria's Idlib province despite the Russian-Turkish agreements reached in Sochi, Syrian Foreign Minister Walid Muallem said Monday.

"Speaking of the agreement on Idlib, of the creation of a demilitarized zone 15-20 kilometres wide. Until now, the terrorists are present there with their heavy weapons, which indicates the lack of desire by Turkey to fulfil its obligations," Muallem said at a meeting with the joint delegation of the International Federation of Democratic Youth and the International Peace Council. 

"Therefore, the Idlib province is still under control by the terrorists who are supported by Turkey and the West," Muallem stressed.

A Russian-Turkish truce agreement reached nearly a month ago for the northwestern region gave "radical fighters" until October 15 to leave a proposed demilitarised area between government and jihadist forces. 

Jihadists in Idlib failed to meet the deadline to leave a planned buffer zone. Turkish AKP government said the deal with Russia to set up a buffer zone for Idlib was still on course, despite jihadists missing a deadline to withdraw.