MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The organization of the fourth de-escalation zone in Syria's Idlib is complicated by the presence of terrorist organizations, particularly the Jabhat Fatah al Sham (formerly known as al-Nusra Front), in the region, a member of the armed opposition delegation at Syria settlement talks, Fateh Hassoun, told Sputnik Thursday.
According to Hassoun, the Free Syrian Army (FSA) "is aware of the agreement between Russia and Turkey on the creation of a de-escalation zone in Idlib, but there is a number of challenges, in particular, the presence of militants of the Jabhat al-Nusra group's as well as of other terrorist groups and local governance."
"It is clear that there are concerns regarding the United States' possible attempt to carry out a military operation in Idlib with the support of the Syrian Democratic Forces… It is unacceptable for us and poses a threat to the liberated parts of Syria as well as to the national security of Turkey," Fateh Hassoun indicated.
The memorandum on the establishment of four de-escalation zones in war-torn Syria was signed during the fourth Syrian settlement talks in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana in May, with Russia, Iran and Turkey acting as the guarantors of the ceasefire. The first three zones have already been secured in the rebel-controlled south along the border with Jordan, the Eastern Ghouta and north of Homs.
