(Zaman Al Wasl)- A new wave of displacement began Sunday in the northern Idlib province as residents fear a new offensive by regime forces despite the 3-month-old ceasefire.
Khalid Raslan, 35, along five families fled the Jabal al-Zawiya region to the Turkish border on Sunday. Raslan told Zaman al-Wasl that all residents are expecting an imminent offensive by regime forces and allied militias.
Turkey, which backs rebels opposed to Bashar al-Assad, agreed a ceasefire with Russia early March after 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 the Assad 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, the Syrian Response Coordination Group said.
Over the past three months, Turkey has sent hundreds of army vehicles and advanced weapons, setting up about 60 military outposts.
Local observers say Ankara is prepared for any offensive.
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
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