One thing is clear from my recent visit to the Idlib battle frontlines – the Bab Al Hawa border crossing is not the “humanitarian” lifeline as described by US, UK representatives and aligned officials at the UN. For these civilians, it represents the perpetual threat of death or injury, the destruction of their livelihood and a life of deprivation, bloodshed and fear.
The statement is remarkable as much for its omissions as for what it does say. Not a word about secularism or protection for minorities. That the jihadi groups are totally airbrushed out of the picture, except obliquely in a prohibition on using terrorism as a justification for use of armed force, is really quite striking. There is not a word here with which Hayat Tahrir Ash Sham, the dominant jihadi group, would not concur.
2nd March 2020 – driving from the city of Aleppo to Urem Al Kubra, the furthest point in west Aleppo before reaching the terrorist frontlines. These areas were occupied by HTS or Al Qaeda in Syria and Nour Al Din Zinki, child beheading extremist group backed by the US as part of the “train and equip” programme.
Saraqeb, Idlib 24th February 2019. Former Nusra Front military training center, suspected used by White Helmets also.
Cette guerre livrée à la Syrie depuis 2011, rappelle Vanessa Beeley, est une invasion et une occupation menées par des groupes terroristes financés et soutenus notamment par Washington, Londres, Paris mais aussi par la Turquie et Israël. Libérer le territoire syrien n’est ni plus ni moins la seule façon de faire respecter le droit international et de rétablir la paix.
This makes the full liberated area in Idilb countryside since the 20th of January 2020 around 660 sq km and puts a new Turkish observation point under siege (Map 3), noting that the General Command of the Army and Armed Forces announced the liberation of 320 sq km less than two months ago .
“Al-Qaeda terrorists operating in the north of Syria and oppressing millions of Syrians can now breathe comfortably after the United Nations Security Council extended their supply routes from their regional sponsor NATO member state Turkey for an additional Six months within its Resolution 2504.”
Finally civlians and fighters can breathe and see peace restored to their battered city. I attended a baptism party one evening, many of the fighters told me this was the first time they had danced in six years. Beautiful. I will post videos of this stunning celebration of life a little later.
After a period of stagnation, progress is now visible on several Syrian fronts – notwithstanding counter-efforts by Western powers and Turkey.
“The bodies I have to inspect tell their own stories of torture, dismemberment, rape and abuse. It is a very painful part of my work but it does bring relief to relatives waiting a very long time for information re loved ones” Dr Zaher Hajjo, Director of Forensics, Damascus
The Wall Will Fall 