While the deal is already in place and this is the first time they’ve commented on the matter, al-Qaeda’s Syria affiliate, Tahrir al-Sham, has issued a statement today expressing support for the Turkey-Russia negotiation deal in Idlib
The statement didn’t promise to always abide by the deal, but did express appreciation for it, and praised Turkey for its efforts to prevent the invasion of Idlib by Syrian forces, which is what the deal was intended to avoid.
The statement further condemned the “trickery of the Russian occupier,” saying that they don’t have faith in Russia’s intentions. It’s not clear if the deal has actually required Tahrir al-Sham, formerly Jabhar al-Nusra, to do anything.
Under the deal, a 15-20 km demilitarized zone has been established, with the rebels intended to withdraw from that area, and to remove all heavy weapons. Tahrir al-Sham ruled out handing over any weapons, but it remains uncertain if any of the territory overlaps with the parts of Idlib held by Tahrir al-Sham.
This is good news, but once the Mid Term elections are over I suspect Syria will want the province back and all insurgents either surrendered, deported or dead.
The Qaeda unit of Syria is just buying time at the moment to get further instructions from Riyadh and the ZIA. After the election it’ll intensify.
they have not withdrawn, they continue to attack syrian government territory and they are digging trenches in the “demilitarized zone” the deal is null.
Headline
“Al-Qaeda Will Accept Idlib Deal”
mmkay.
“Peace is that brief glorious moment in history when everybody stands around reloading.” — Thomas Jefferson