Among the estimated 60,000 opposition fighters in Idlib are at least 10,000 radicals affiliated with the al-Qaida-linked group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (Arabic for Levant Liberation Committee). Separately, Turkey has troops stationed in the enclave under its control north and east of Idlib, where it backs Syrian opposition fighters and a civilian administration. “There is really no way for the Syrian military and Damascus’ allies to launch a military offensive on Idlib that doesn’t have deeply negative, injurious effects on Turkey. The HTS spokesman in Idlib said now was not the time to talk about dissolving into Turkish-backed rebel groups. Some raised banners reading: “The rebels are our hope and the Turks are our brothers.”Syrian forces and Iranian-backed militias are likely to avoid a clash with the Turkish troops.

Source: Washington Post September 16, 2018 14:59 UTC