Planned deployment and distribution of troops in Idlib de-escalation zone of northwestern Syria is continuing, and there are no withdrawals of troops from the region, Turkish Defense Ministry announced on Friday.
To stop the bloodshed and humanitarian crisis, and ensure security of troops as well as safe return of civilians to their homes, all decisions taken under the Moscow deal are being implemented with utmost care, according to Anadolu Agency.
The statement further noted: "The Turkish Armed Forces is continuing planned deployment and distribution of troops in the Idlib de-escalation zone of northwestern Syria, in line with the cease-fire of March 6. Reports by some media organizations about withdrawals of our troops from the region do not reflect the truth."
Turkey's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that two of its soldiers were killed in Idlib in a rocket attack by "some radical groups".
One other soldier was wounded in the attack, the ministry said, adding that its forces had opened fire on targets in the area.
Sources told Zaman al-Wasl that the attack on the M4 highway was carried out by Hurras al-Din group, formerly a member of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham.
The death toll of Turkish soldiers killed in Idlib region has reached a total of 60 in the past five weeks.
Turkey, which backs rebels opposed to Bashar al-Assad, agreed a ceasefire with Russia two weeks ago after months of fighting displaced nearly 1 million people in Idlib. Moscow supports Syrian regime forces.
The truce halted a terrifying three-month air and ground campaign that killed hundreds and sent 1 million people fleeing toward the Turkish border.
The agreement did not force Bashar Assad's forces to roll back significant military gains made in Russian-backed offensive for the past three months — a key Turkish demand prior to the talks.
The regime offensive in Idlib province and parts of Aleppo has displaced more than 1,041000 people from their homes and killed 700 people, including 91 women, 212 children and 17 rescue workers, over the past three months, he Syrian Response Coordination Group said.
According to the local monitor, Russia and regime airstrikes have targeted 20 refugee shelters, 88 educational facilities, 9 centers for Civil Defense agency, 32 health centers, 8 ambulances, 14 furnaces and a bakery, 31 worship, and 23 various facilities such as water and power plants.
The nine-year-old war has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and forced 13 million people from their homes, half of whom have left their shattered homeland.
Zaman Al Wasl, Agencies
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