After the announcement of a ceasefire deal, a few Syrian refugee families have been returning to their destroyed homes in Idlib and Aleppo’s western countryside.
Although Russian airstrikes have been suspended, Syrian activists logged a number of truce violations carried out by Syrian regime forces in Idlib.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar had confirmed that the ceasefire, based on Turkish and Russian agreement, is ongoing in Idlib. He pointed out that 70,000-80,000 refugees had returned to their homes in Idlib as a result of the de-escalation, and that more will return through Turkish efforts in the coming days.
Activist Nasr al-Hamwi said that regime forces bombed areas in the de-escalation zone.
Ahmad al-Qassem, a leader in the Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) opposition militia, reported that Syrian regime forces have violated the ceasefire deal and that those violations have been documented.
“In the event that regime forces do not adhere to the agreement, we will respond strongly. If regime forces continue to violate the agreement, armed opposition factions will initiate a military operation that would deter the regime forces and force them to implement the ceasefire agreement,” al-Qassem added.
Speaking on the return of refugees, local activist Mohammed Kanjo said: “Western Aleppo areas began to witness the return of locals from IDP camps near borders, but the numbers have been shy.”
Ahmed Al-Khalil, a returnee who recently arrived to his home in Al Nerab village in eastern Idlib, reported damage caused by Russian air bombardment.
“Al Nerab, like other villages in Idlib’s countryside which the regime forces failed to take over, faced a fierce campaign of aerial and artillery bombardment. This resulted in damage to the homes and property of civilians, as well as to public facilities and infrastructure,” Al-Khallil noted.
Ahmad al-Hilweh, another returnee from the city of Jisr al-Shughour, west of Idlib, said that locals are now working to restore whatever was left of their homes with modest means.
