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Syrian rebels complete Idlib heavy arms pullout: Turkey state media
ANKARA, Oct 8, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Syrian rebels have completed the
withdrawal of heavy weapons from the frontline of the last opposition-held
province of Idlib, Turkish state media reported Monday.
Citing their correspondent in Idlib, news agency Anadolu said the
withdrawal was concluded under a deal reached last month between Syrian
regime ally Moscow and rebel backer Ankara.
Turkey-backed Syrian opposition forces as well as anti-regime armed groups
pulled out heavy weapons, including rocket launchers, mortars and medium-
range missiles, Anadolu added.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian counterpart Vladimir
Putin agreed on September 17 to establish a demilitarised zone in Idlib.
The accord aims to stave off a massive regime assault on Idlib province by
creating a 15 to 20-kilometre (9-12 mile) buffer zone ringing the area.
All rebels in the demilitarised zone must withdraw heavy arms by
Wednesday, and radical groups must leave by October 15, under the deal.
The National Liberation Front (NLF), the main Turkey-backed rebel alliance
in the Idlib area, announced Saturday it had begun withdrawing heavy arms as
part of the agreement and the withdrawal would take several days.
The Syrian war has left more than 360,000 people dead since it began in
2011 with the repression of anti-government protests.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1846 hrs