Syrian regime forces intensified their offensive against Idlib province as more military reinforcements arrived to the northwest of Syria on the eve of a ceasefire announced by Moscow in the de-escalation zone.
"In order to stabilize the situation, the Russian center for reconciliation of the warring parties reached an agreement on the unilateral ceasefire by the Syrian government troops in the de-escalation zone," the Russian Defense Ministry announced on Friday.
It also urged armed groups in the region to join the ceasefire in the areas under their control.
For his part, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was not satisfied with the developments in Idlib.
“It would be a lie if we would suggest that developments in regards to Idlib are as desired. They are not the way we want,” Erdogan told reporters.
Earlier this week, the Turkish President sat with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. They agreed on additional measures for Idlib without elaborating.
Erdogan said he would also hold talks with US President Donald Trump in September at the UN General Assembly.
His comments came as Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Friday Russia had assured Turkey its observation posts in northwest Syria would not be attacked.
Speaking in Oslo, Cavusoglu said Turkey’s military, which backs some Syrian opposition groups, would leave the region only when a political solution was found.
Meanwhile, thousands of displaced Syrian civilians gathered at the Bab al-Hawa crossing with Turkey, demanding that the Syrian Army and Russia stop their attacks on Idlib and open the crossing for civilians.
Activists said that Turkish border guards fired warning shots and tear gas to disperse the hundreds of protesters that had gathered, according to Agence France Presse.
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