On April 11, the Turkish military fortified its positions in the southern and southeastern parts of the Syrian Greater Idlib region.
Opposition activists shared a video showing an armored bulldozer of the Turkish military building a dirt barrier near the town of Afes, along the frontline with the Syrian Arab Army (SAA). Afes is located right north of the city of Saraqib.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said Turkish forces also fortified some of their positions in western Aleppo by installing cement barriers around them.
These measures indicate that Turkey is preparing for another confrontation in Greater Idlib, not to implement the March 5 agreement with Russia.
Under the recent de-escalation deal with Russia, Ankara had to secure the M4 highway, linking the cities Lattakia and Aleppo, and neutralize radical militants operating there. However, this is yet to happen. As for now, the Turkish military is working to solidify its presence in Greater Idlib by sending additional troops and equipment. At least 55 military vehicles were deployed in the Syrian region on April 12 only.
