Idlib ignites battles of influence in Syria

Islam Muhammad

In the wake of the fierce fighting in Idlib in northern Syria, which has caused more than 400,000 people to flee in the last three months, regional and international talks between the Russians, Turks and the Iranians continue to find solutions on the negotiating table.

UN Special Representative for Syria Panos Moumtzis announced on Thursday (August 8th) that the resumption of fighting in Idlib after a brief ceasefire in the northwestern province has caused panic among the population.

The ceasefire in Idlib lasted no more than three days. The Syrian army announced on Monday (August 5th) the resumption of hostilities in the northwest of the country.

This is dangerous after Damascus announced its acceptance of a truce conditional on the implementation of a Russian-Turkish agreement to establish a demilitarized zone in Idlib.

The Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Rosemary Di Carlo, reiterated her call to refer the situation in Syria to the International Criminal Court.

Meanwhile, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that his country will host a summit on September 11 between the presidents of Turkey, Russia, and Iran to discuss the Syrian file.

About 3 million people live in Idlib, stranded after 8 years of war and violence. The so-called Sham Liberation Organization controls most of the governorate and parts of Aleppo, Hama and Lattakia governorates.

While clashes between Turkish-backed factions and Russian-backed Syrian forces are raging, Iran is concentrating its efforts in Deir ez-Zor and Daraa in the east and south of the country and in and around Damascus.

For his part, the Syrian researcher Abdullah Turkmani, said in a statement to the Reference that Turkey is supporting the opposition and armed groups operating on the ground, not because of love, but because of its strategic depth in the Middle East through Syria, especially as Iran is the most important strategic balancer.