Just days after the M5 highway was reopened to the public in Syria, Turkish-backed rebels have taken the town of Nairab, the “gateway to Saraqeb,” and are hoping to advance on Saraqeb next.
A small town in Idlib Province, Saraqeb is along that M5 highway, and was recently claimed by the Syrian military when they ousted al-Qaeda from the area. Turkey protested this, and has demanded Syria withdraw unconditionally.
The M5 highway is arguably the most important in Syria, as it connects the capital of Damascus with the economic capital of Aleppo. The highway has been contested, at least in part, for eight years of war.
Turkey is hoping that a new influx of arms will allow their rebels to contest the area again, and failing that a direct Turkish offensive is probably coming, as Turkey has sent thousands of troops into Idlib to fight Syria.
At the same time the Turks and their terrorist scum, lost 12 villages, a large part of Jabal Al-Zawiya south of Idlib.
It`s only a matter of days before the SAA retakes the M4 highway.
As far as I know, Turkey is not controlling militants. Especially, it has ZERO control over HTS, or Al-Qaeda. It is remarkable that it is HTS in the front line, not one of the flunkies HTS trots out to fight for them.
Nothing is clear here. Not one thing. It is only clear that Turkey will block any passage to Turkey. Militants that are taking orders from HTS may have to accept Turkish command.
But for now HTS is hanging in, and their flunkies are hanging in with them. Turkey may have to change the tune, and flood the area with military to achieve control of the region. Militants are small number compared to the population. If control is established over local governments, and Turkey takes over aid distribution, militants will lose power. At some point — separation between assorted militants and HTS will have to happen. By HTS — we mean White Helmet funding and US/UK control.
This is why US has suggested to Russia to accept HTS as one of the combatants. But Russia rejects dealing with Al-Qaeda. Turkey is trying to navigate. Sooner or later, US and UK may have to accept the loss.
But it is not there yet. If US wants to infuriate Turkey — just go ahead with AIR DROPPING military supplies to Kurds.