Small Wars Journal

Syrian Jihadists Signal Acceptance of Idlib Deal

Mon, 10/15/2018 - 12:04am

Syrian Jihadists Signal Acceptance of Idlib Deal – Reuters

Syria's main jihadist group signaled on Sunday it would abide by the terms of a Russian-Turkish deal to prevent a Syrian government offensive on rebel-held Idlib the day before a critical deadline.

Tahrir al-Sham, a jihadist alliance spearheaded by al Qaida's former Syrian affiliate previously known as the Nusra Front, said it had accepted the deal after taking time for "consultation".

Idlib's other main rebel faction, a Turkish-aligned alliance of groups known as the National Liberation Front, has already expressed its support for the agreement.

The deal sets up a demilitarized zone running 15-20 kilometers (9-13 miles) deep into rebel territory that must be evacuated of all heavy weapons and all jihadist groups by Monday, Oct. 15…

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