Erdoğan announces start of Idlib "operation"

Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the start of an operation in Syria’s jihadist-controlled Idlib, as increased military movement is being observed near the southern Turkish border.


“There is a serious operation in Idlib at the moment and this will continue,” Erdoğan said during the 26th semi-annual “consultation and assessment camp” of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Oct. 7, as he added that the operation aims to provide Idlib’s security.

The move, which had been rumored for weeks, comes as Turkey along with Russia prepares to set up a so-called "de-escalation" zone in Idlib in line with accords in peace talks in Astana aimed at ending the Syrian civil war.

Idlib is largely controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), spearheaded by a former al-Qaeda affiliate that changed its name last year from the Nusra Front.
 [hurriyetdailynews.com]
 7/10/17
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