NEWS CENTER- Closely following developments in İdlib and Aleppo, journalist Ferhat Şami reported that 8 of the military observation points of Turkey have been surrounded, the families of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham members in Idlib are being placed in Efrin.
The violent clashes between Syria regime forces and Turkey-backed Tahrir al-Sham (HTS/Al Nusra) continues in Idlib. Regime forces taking control of new places each day by Russian back-up have laid siege to 2 observation points of Turkey increasing the total number of blockaded observation points to 8.
Journalist Ferhad Şami, who follows the events on the spot spoke about the latest situation in the region.
AFTER 9 YEARS, ALEPPO SURROUNDINGS ARE CLEARED
Taking attention to that the clashes in Aleppo are as heavy as the ones in Idlib, journalist Şami state that many points in nothern and eastern Aleppo have been taken under control. Şami stated, "Hanedan, Herêtan, Beyanûn and the symbolic place of 'Muslim Brothers' Keverhemra have been taken hold of the regime. After 9 years the, Aleppo surrounding are cleared. Al-Nusra and the other gangs needed to take a step back. Yesterday all of a sudden they pulled themselves back."
TARGET IS BAB AL-HAWA
Şami continued his statements on the recent developments in Idlib: "Regime first took control of Saraqib. Saraqib and Maaret Al Numan were like the base of Al Nusra. These places have been cleared. This region was on the M5 highway. Regime tried to reach the borderline of the city center. Here there are Sarmîn and Masome villages. This line is the defence line of Idlib. On the other hand, the regime, who was attacked by Turkish soldiers backed down. Regimes keeps waiting in the mountain region behind that line. Regime wanted to move on to Etarbê and Bab Al-Hawa, but Turkish forces settled and built a base in Etarbê. If the regime liberates Etarbê, there will be a distance of 9 km to Girê Bab Al-Hawa. Bab Al-Hawa is on of the main entrances to Idlib. In case that this part is taken under control, Idlib will be divided into two pieces. This gate is the entrance door of the gangs. Regime wants to take control of Bab Al-Hawa."
THEY WANT TO COMPLETELY CLEAR IDLIB
Şami addressed that Russia and Iran target to take complete control of Idlib and said, "They are determined on this matter. Regime is not able to go into clashes in mountainous terrain. That is why it does not seem probable for them to get in Idlib. And there are many civilians, but Russia, who is determined to go in Idlib, has opened a road for the civilian pass and called the people in İdlib to side with the regime. Thus they deactivate the discourse of "they are reaching our borders" of Turkey. "
'THE GANGS PLACE THEIR FAMILIES IN EFRIN'
The authorities of Idlib population in Turkey said that it is not as high Stating that the population in Idlib is not as high as the Turkish authorities announce it to be, Şami said: "Around 150-200 thousand of this population consists of the families of the gangs. Gangs places their families in Efrin by force now. As a matter of fact, they make those who came from Damascus leave and place their families in Efrin. Some families are also being placed on A'zaz and Al-Bab."
8 OBSERVATION POINTS ARE SURROUNDED
Referring to the final situation of Turkey's Idlib military observation points Şami made the following remarks clear: "Turkey had 12 points. Two of these points were blockaded yesterday. By now, 8 points are surrounded. However, Turkey established small military spots. Most of them are in the Idlib countryside. If Turkey targets Russian points, they will come across."