Areas near Idlib witnessed heightened frustration towards the latest deal inked between Turkey and Russia which led to the opening of Aleppo-Latakia highway.
Activists called for a strike and denounced the agreement that allows Russians to accompany the Turks in patrolling along the road.
Activist Ibrahim al-Omar stated that the majority of Syrians view Russians as an occupation force, therefore the idea of the joint patrols is rejected.
Omar added that it is difficult to guarantee that the patrols will be safe because the civilians in liberated regions reject the Russian and Iranian presence. He warned that if they remain committed to the deal, civilians won't allow Russian forces to pass.
Another activist Bakkar al-Hamidi said that opening the international road oppresses Syrians – saying that it is unlikely that things will go as planned no matter how much Turkey tries to ensure this.
The Russian-Turkish patrols can’t pass safely as long as Syrians are displaced.
Activist Abou Omar Asmar said:"Unfortunately, today we are accepting what we rejected more than a year ago, after long battles that resulted in the occupation of many villages and the displacement of more than a million people. Opening the road has never been and will never be in the interest of the revolution."
"It is only a new way for Russia to widen its control over the liberated areas," he added.
