Tensions arose between Turkish troops and al-Nusra (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, HTS) mercenaries before the patrol mission set to take place on M4 highway in Idlib region as part of agreement made between the Turkish state and Russia in Moscow.

According to reports, a large number of civilians gathered near the town of Nairab and protested against the patrol mission of the Turkish army and Russian forces on Aleppo-Latakia (M4) highway.

Tensions increased after Turkey dispatched police forces to the scene where al-Nusra then deployed armed men before the Turkish police teams.

While the patrol did not take place because of tension, al-Nusra groups opened fire into the air with DShK and heavy weapons.

Al-Nusra groups and civilians shouted at the Turkish police, saying; “This is not Turkey, do not swing your baton”.

HTS members and civilians closed the road and did not allow the patrol to take place and protested against Turkish troops, saying “Get out of here. This is our land.”

In the wake of clashes in Idlib in February, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan went to Moscow and asked for a ceasefire from Russian President Vladimir Putin. The agreement signed by Putin with Erdoğan at the feet of Catherine the Great included the following:

Cessation of all military activities in Idlib from March 6,

Formation of a security corridor 6 km north and 6 km south of the Aleppo-Latakia (M4) highway,

Start of Turkish-Russian joint patrols along the security corridor from March 15.

The Moscow agreement was followed by a partial ceasefire in the region but none of the articles of agreement has been implemented so far.

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