ISTANBUL: There has been some withdrawal of militants from the demilitarization zone in Idlib following the Russia-Turkey deal on the northwestern Syrian region, the US special representative for Syria engagement told reporters in Ankara.
The two countries reached a deal to set up a buffer zone running 15-20 km (9-13 miles) deep into rebel territory and evacuated of all heavy weapons and all militants by Monday. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a militant alliance spearheaded by Al-Qaeda鈥檚 former Syrian affiliate, is the most powerful militant alliance in Idlib.
鈥淭he withdrawal of heavy weapons is complete by all accounts,鈥� James Jeffrey said. 鈥淭here is some question as to whether everybody from (Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham) has left.鈥�