Militants in Syria prohibit civilians from leaving the territory of Idlib de-escalation zone and lands under the control of the Turkish armed forces through open checkpoints, Rear Admiral Vyacheslav Sytnik, deputy head of the Russian Center for the Reconciliation of the Warring Parties in Syria (part of the Russian Defense Ministry), said.
He recalled that the checkpoints Serakab, Miznaz and Abu Azeidin started operating on February 22 so that Syrian civilians could leave the Idlib de-escalation zone and the territory controlled by the Turkish Armed Forces. "Militants of radical armed groups are blocking the operation of checkpoints, forbidding local residents to travel to SAR-controlled territory at the threat of weapons as well as arrest," Sytnik said during a briefing on Tuesday.
According to the deputy head of the center, the failure of Turkish Armed Forces units to ensure the safety of citizens in exit corridors exacerbates the situation of civilians, who suffer from a lack of qualified medical care and the emergency socio-economic situation created by US sanctions.
"The Russian Center for Reconciliation calls on the command of the Turkish forces controlling the territories in northwestern Syria to be principled in fulfilling their commitments and ensure the safety of civilians wishing to use the exit points," Sytnik added.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Zuma \ TASS
Based on materials from TASS