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In Syria, jihadist and rebel groups withdrew on Tuesday (August 20th) from a key area of the Idleb region: the city of Khan Cheikhoun and its surroundings, a key sector in the north-west. But they say they want to redeploy themselves to prevent Bashar al-Assad's regime's forces from rising again in the last bastion of the opposition. For its part Turkey warned Damascus not to "play with fire" after the attack on his convoy.
The French president took advantage on Monday (August 19th) of his meeting with Vladimir Putin to call for respect for the cease-fire decided on this zone almost a year ago. The agreements reached last September included the requirement for Ankara to control the jihadist groups in the border area of Turkey. But since the former al-Qaeda branch, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has taken control of much of the region bringing many other satellite groups to join him.
The Russian president has reaffirmed his support for the Syrian army's efforts to eliminate terrorist threats to Idleb. On Monday, August 19, Bashar al-Assad's forces entered parts of this strategic city in Khan Cheikhoune, the capital of the Idleb region. Intense fighting has occurred between Russian-backed government forces and Turkey-backed rebel and jihadist groups.
Syrian and Russian planes directly bombed a Turkish convoy . According to Damascus, these ammunition-laden vehicles were intended to support fighter groups in Khan Cheikhoune.
Ankara condemned the attack and said everything would be done to guarantee the safety of Turkish soldiers and observation posts. One of these posts south of the Idleb region is currently surrounded by regime forces. The Turkish Foreign Minister warned Damascus today, calling on him not to " play with fire ".
" The regime should not play with fire, " Cavusoglu told a news conference in Ankara. " We will do everything necessary to ensure the safety of our soldiers and our observation posts. But we hope not to get there, "he added, without further details.