Agreement Turkey Russia: What You Need to Know
On March 5, 2020, Turkey and Russia reached an agreement to cease hostilities in Syria`s Idlib province. This agreement came after months of escalating violence in the region, which had resulted in hundreds of civilian deaths and forced millions to flee their homes.
So what does this agreement between Turkey and Russia mean, and what impact will it have on the ongoing conflict in Syria? Here`s what you need to know.
The Background
Idlib is the last major rebel stronghold in Syria and has been the site of intense fighting between Syrian government forces and rebels backed by Turkey. The situation was further complicated by the involvement of Russian forces, who have been supporting the Syrian government in its efforts to retake the region.
The conflict in Idlib had reached a critical point in early 2020, with Turkish and Syrian forces engaging in direct military clashes that threatened to escalate into a wider conflict between Turkey and Russia.
The Agreement
Under the terms of the agreement, Turkish and Russian forces will establish a security corridor along the M4 highway in Idlib, which will be patrolled jointly by the two sides. In addition, a new joint operations center will be established to coordinate military activities and prevent any further clashes.
The agreement also includes a ceasefire, which went into effect on March 6, 2020. The ceasefire aims to halt all hostilities in Idlib and allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the millions of civilians who have been displaced by the conflict.
The Impact
The agreement between Turkey and Russia has been hailed as a significant step towards ending the conflict in Idlib. By establishing a ceasefire and a joint security corridor, the two sides have taken concrete steps to de-escalate the violence and prevent any further clashes.
However, there are still concerns that the ceasefire may not hold, given the complex nature of the conflict in Idlib. Both Turkish and Syrian forces have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, and there are fears that any minor incident could derail the fragile agreement.
In addition, the agreement does not address the underlying issues that led to the conflict in Idlib, such as the Syrian government`s continued targeting of civilians and the lack of a political solution to the conflict. As such, there is still a long way to go before lasting peace can be achieved in Syria.
Conclusion
The agreement between Turkey and Russia to end hostilities in Idlib is a positive development, but it is only a first step towards resolving the conflict in Syria. While the ceasefire and joint security corridor are important measures, they do not address the underlying issues that have led to the violence in Idlib.
As such, there is still much work to be done to find a lasting solution to the conflict in Syria and ensure that the millions of civilians caught in the crossfire can finally begin to rebuild their lives.