Idlib recognizes Turkey as its savior

The Turkish Armed Forces finalized its preparations for an operation and has entered Idlib, the next military campaign in Syria after the Operation Euphrates Shield. After the Free Syrian Army (FSA) entered Idlib, the Turkish military completed its observation and reconnaissance activities and has taken position in the Syrian city.

Speaking to Yeni Şafak daily, Colonel Riad al-Asaad, commander of the FSA, said that the residents of Idlib under Russian artillery fire regard Turkey as their savior. Noting that there are many groups in Idlib, Riad al-Asaad stated that these groups will not raise any difficulties for Turkey and that they will be gathered under a single roof if a civilian administration is established. Riad al-Asaad, stressing that Iran backs the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) terrorist organization, said, “Iran might cause unrest in the region and rise difficulties for Turkey.”

The opposition in Idlib has great expectations from Turkey, Riad al-Asaad said. “The majority of the people do not want the FSA groups, which participated in the Euphrates Shield Operation, to enter Idlib. They should stay there and provide security. We are strong here. The Euphrates Shield groups should remain in their region and fight against the PYD. We will protect Idlib and support Turkey all the way.”

Stating that Turkey should not allow Idlib to be divided into regions and gather the opposition groups under a single roof, Colonel Riad al-Asaad said that the country should unite all military elements and establish a single army under a civil administration. “We want Turkey to have only one addressee in Idlib. We will combat the PYD and the regime better with a civil administration and a military organization connected to it,” he added.

Riad al-Asaad said that the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) will disband itself after a civil administration is established in Idlib. He said the military presence of the group will be taken over by the civil administration, adding that “Turkey will be stronger after the civil administration is established. The PYD will weaken in Afrin and will no longer be a threat,” because the terrorist group could not infiltrate Idlib even though the groups in Idlib were disorganized.

Col. Riad al-Asaad pointed out that the PYD terrorists will not be able to pose a threat to Turkey and the region as it will weaken after the groups unite. He said Kurdish people do not want the PYD in Afrin, where they are under the PYD’s occupation.