With the direct support from Turkey, Syrian anti-government forces including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), National Front for Liberation (NFL) make important advances in Southern Idlib on 1 March 2020, according to diversified sources.
Analyzing the reports of those sources it can be said that Turkish-backed anti-Government forces managed to capture the towns of Fleifel, Kafr Mous, al-Dar al-Kabera, Sufuhon, Fatterah, Kawkabeh and Hizareen from Syrian government occupation. Turkish artillery and combat drones played crucial role favoring the anti-government forces.
On the other side, Syrian government supporters claim that Turkey is helping al-Qaeda offshoots in the name of Operation Spring Shield. And Turkey said it is protecting it’s sovereignty from further influx of Syrian refugees who are fleeing from the Syrian war. Turkey blames Bashar Al Assad for all the chaos, battle and war happening in Syria.
The situation between Syria and Turkey escalated when Syrian government forces attacked Turkish observation post killing several Turkish military servicemen.
Analysts believe that situation will be defused when Turkish and Russian leaders will meet to discuss the situation in Idlib on 5 March 2020. Meanwhile, Turkey may aim to gain a leading status in Syrian war before sitting on the negotiation table with Russia.