Syrian army to resume military operations in Idlib

The Syrian army has announced on Monday to resume its military operations in Idlib, according to media reports. The army reportedly said that it has taken this decision after armed terrorist groups refused to comply with the ceasefire and are attacking civilians. The army has accused Turkey of not abiding by its commitments under the ceasefire deal signed a few days ago.

A conditional ceasefire to end the bombing in Syria's northwestern region of Idlib was agreed upon on August 2, after two days of negotiations in the Kazakh capital Nur-Sultan. According to the final statement of the 13th round of Astana Talks (named after the previous name of the Kazakhstan capital), the parties agreed to implement the Sochi agreement.

The reports said the rebels would have to retreat 20 kilometers from demilitarised areas around the stronghold that were agreed to under the ceasefire deal reached last September in Sochi. They were also required to withdraw their heavy weapons from the front lines. That deal fell apart in April as President Assad's forces launched an assault on Idlib, the last rebel stronghold in the country, killing hundreds and displacing more than 400,000 people.