Turkish Regime is Pushing for a New Ceasefire Deal in Idlib

BEIRUT, LEBANON (3:45 P.M.) – The Turkish regime is pushing for a new ceasefire deal around the Idlib deescalation zone after their rebel allies lost a great deal of territory in northwestern Hama.

Speaking to Al-Masdar from Damascus, a Syrian Arab Army (SAA) officer said that Ankara is pushing Moscow for an open-ended ceasefire in northwestern Syria.

The officer said Turkey wants to prevent any more Syrian Army advances in northwestern Syria, while also demanding that the latter withdraw from the areas they recently captured.

He would add that Russia is resisting Turkey’s pleas because they have made similar requests in the past and they have repeatedly failed to deliver on their promises.

Turkey was supposed to force the rebel groups to withdraw from the demilitarized zone last October; however, the militant groups remained inside this region, prompting the Syrian military to increase their presence along the front-lines.

As of now, the Syrian Army has halted its offensive in northwestern Syria, but this could change in the coming days if Russia and Turkey cannot reach an agreement.