Pro-Turkish militants in the area of al-Bab
During a recent meeting Turkish officials told representatives of several towns in southern Idlib and northern Hama that the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and its allies will not launch a military operation in the region, the Syrian news outlet Enab Baladi reported on August 15.
Turkish officials allegedly claimed that the deployment of large units of the SAA around the northern governorate of Idlib is northing more than “psychological warfare” and promised that Turkish observation posts will not be withdrawn.
According to the pro-opposition news outlet, the meeting was held at the Turkish observation post in the town of Murak in the northern Hama countryside. Public figures from the towns of Umm Elkhalayel, Khuwayn, Sukayk, al-Tamanah and Atshan attended the meeting.
Few hours later, Syrian opposition sources said that Turkish trucks carrying pre-built cabins entered the northern governorate of Idlib and headed towards the Murak observation post. During the last two months, Turkey reinforced all of its observation posts in northern Syria.
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Turkey is likely planning to keep its observation posts in Lattakia, Hama, Idlib and Aleppo by promoting itself as the savior of northern Syria. However, local observer doubt that Turkey will be able to keep its promises, if the SAA launches a military operation backed by Russia and Iran there.
