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Conflict in Syria

Damascus relocates additional forces to Idlib de-escalation area — report

According to the pro-Turkish militia, Damascus seeks to exert pressure on Turkey and the opposition this way

MOSCOW, June 8. /TASS/. Syrian governmental forces reinforced their positions at the Idlib de-escalation area border, Sky News Arabia reported Tuesday, citing the leadership of a pro-Turkish militia in the Idlib province.

According to the report, Syrian government forces relocated a portion of the local population to the area bordering the Aleppo province. Damascus also moved tanks and artillery to the contact line in southern Idlib. According to the pro-Turkish militia, Damascus seeks to exert pressure on Turkey and the opposition this way, especially considering the recent re-election of President Bashar al-Assad.

Idlib is Syria’s only region, a significant portion of which still remains under militia control.

The de-escalation area in northwestern Syria has been established since 2017. Militants, who refused to lay down weapons after governmental operations in Eastern Ghouta and southern Syria, were transported there. A ceasefire regime has been in effect in the area since March 6 last year, in accordance with agreements achieved by Russia and Turkey. Despite that, pro-Turkish militias and Nusra Front terrorists (outlawed in Russia) regularly violate it, shelling Syrian Army positions and civilian settlements.

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Syrian conflict

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FACTBOX: Collective Security Treaty Organization

The Collective Security Treaty came into force on April 20, 1994 to herald the emergence what would eventually become the Collective Security Treaty Organization. The six member-countries are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

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US House passes procedural vote on Ukraine aid bill

It cannot be ruled out that the House of Representatives may pass this package as early as Saturday

Founder of neo-Nazi cell in Crimea flees to Georgia — source

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West can’t comprehend Russia’s resilience — Lavrov

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Russian stock indices rising on Friday

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