A senior Syrian opposition official said the most powerful jihadist group in the Northwest, Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had sent secret feelers to the Turkish army though third parties in the last few days signalling they would comply.
“Matters are moving well and Tahrir al Sham has pledged it is going to implement but without announcing its agreement,” said the opposition official, who was briefed by Turkish officials and requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Tahrir al Sham has yet to declare its stance on the deal, and its position will be critical to its success.
A regional intelligence source said the jihadists were softening their stance to avoid deadly internecine fighting with mainstream opposition that could wreck the deal and allow the Assad militias and its Russian ally to resume their stalled offensive.
“I don’t expect any hurdles in implementation from all the revolutionary forces at all,” said Abdul Salam Abdul Razzak, a leading figure in the National Front for Liberation, the alliance of Free Syrian Army (FSA).
Turkish President Erdogan said in an interview with Reuters late on Tuesday that the withdrawal of “radical groups” had already started.
Several opposition sources said none of the groups, either jihadist or mainstream opposition, had started to pull back.
The National Front for Liberation, which had declared its “complete cooperation” with the Turkish effort, said it foresaw a smooth operation once logistical preparations with Turkey were concluded.
“Pulling heavy arms from the frontline is not a difficult matter as most of these weapons are deployed away from the frontline,” Abdul Razzak said, adding the group’s only concern was whether the Assad militias and their allies would abide by the deal.
Earlier this month, Turkey and Russia reached an agreement to enforce a new demilitarized zone in Syria’s Idlib from which “radical” factions will be required to withdraw by the middle of next month.
The demilitarized zone agreed by Turkey and Russia will be 15 to 20 km (10 to 12 miles) deep and run along the contact line between opposition fighters and regime militiamen. It will be patrolled by Turkish and Russian forces.
The Russian-Turkish agreement hinges on the response of jihadist fighters and could unravel quickly if Moscow and Ankara cannot jointly impose their plan on the Islamist groups.
التعليقات (0)