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Turkish army's Idlib action 'riskiest cross-border operation' to date

Experts list the possibility of confrontation between Turkey and Syria, a new influx of refugees and activity by radical groups as potential hazards of Turkey’s deployment into Idlib.
A picture taken on February 15, 2018 shows a Turkish military convoy driving through Syria's northwestern Idlib province.

 / AFP PHOTO / OMAR HAJ KADOUR        (Photo credit should read OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

Turkey established its 12th and last military observation post in the opposition-held regions of Idlib province, in northern Syria, last week. The deployment of Turkish forces is based on an accord with Russia and Iran, which was agreed upon in Astana in September 2017, to establish “de-escalation zones” between opposition fighters and regime forces.

These zones give Turkey another military foothold in Syria just south of Afrin, which was captured from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) by the Turkish army and Free Syrian Army fighters in March.

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