Russia and Turkey Agree on 'Decisive Action' Against Rebel Group in Idlib

The Idlib region, the last part of Syria outside the control of Bashar al-Assad's government, has recently seen the consolidation of control by the extremist group Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham. According to reports, this trend has forced international organizations to largely suspend their aid to the three million residents of Idlib. Russia, as the main supporter of the Syrian government, and Turkey, as the backer of the rebels opposing Assad, reached agreements last fall regarding the situation in Idlib, which led to the Syrian government refraining from attacking the area. However, following the recent strengthening of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib, Russia has voiced complaints and last week asked Turkey to take further measures to prevent the group's reinforcement in the region. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (Organization for the Liberation of the Levant) began its activities in January 2017. This extremist Salafi group was formed from the merger of the al-Nusra Front (the al-Qaeda branch previously known as Jabhat al-Nusra) and several other militia groups from the Syrian civil war. Following these developments, Reuters reported on Tuesday, February 12, that Russia and Turkey agreed on Monday to take 'decisive actions' to restore stability in Idlib. According to the news agency, this agreement was announced after discussions between Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar in Ankara. The two countries also issued a joint statement on this matter, but no further details were provided about these 'decisive actions.' This joint statement comes ahead of a meeting regarding Syria that Turkey, Russia, and Iran are set to hold on Thursday in Russia. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu had hinted earlier this year at the possibility of a joint operation by Russia and Turkey against militants in Idlib but did not provide further details. Following the Syrian army's successive victories against the rebels, a large number of surrendered rebels from various parts of the country have been transported by bus to Idlib, increasing the region's population from one million a few years ago to three million now. Medical services in the Idlib region and the Aleppo countryside are provided by 50 clinics funded by Western governments and non-profit organizations. Reports indicate that since the rise of Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham in Idlib and the sidelining of rival groups by this organization, funding for these clinics has also stopped, and the medical staff in the region and teachers are currently working without receiving salaries.