File photo
Opposition forces are waiting at the ready in Syria’s Idlib, where Russian and Syrian jets resumed intensive strikes as Damascus stepped up its assault on the opposition’s last major stronghold. The opposition is stationed in trenches close to areas where regime units are located, and also utilizes mostly self-made caves to protect themselves from air raids. These caves are extensive in length, are wide enough to fit vehicles, and boast various rooms and exit points.
Opposition forms defense lines
The Syrian opposition has started to form defense lines in the Idlib and Hama countryside against the Assad regime and its allies. Trenches have been dug in line with defense lines at five different points, and shields made up of heavy weapons have also been formed.
As the defense lines approach Idlib, precautionary measures increase: heavy weapons as well as more fighters are deployed. The last defense line has tunnels in order to ensure quick mobilization and enable reinforcements to be dispersed quickly.
Regime forces have also been accelerating preparations and firing toward opposition zones. These forces have also been deployed to highpoints of the Idlib countryside, and use the air advantage to frequently launch mortar bombs and rockets.
The opposition forces are on red alert on the defense lines. The fighters remain on duty and monitor the regime forces. The opposition has emphasized that they are ready to prevent attacks and that they will not allow a field operation to take place.
Last opposition enclave
Opposition fighters and civilians who oppose the rule of President Bashar al-Assad fled to Idlib as the regime and its allies drove them out of other parts of Syria. Damascus, backed by allies Russia and Iran, has been preparing a major assault to recover Idlib and adjacent areas of the northwest.
Before the war, Idlib had a population of 1.5 million but this figure has more than doubled. Located near the Turkish border, Idlib is home to more than 3 million Syrians, many of whom fled from other cities following attacks by regime forces.
Idlib is of huge importance as it is the only city under opposition control in Syria. As for the strategic window, it neighbors Turkey in northwest and is next to Aleppo in the south, Aleppo's Afrin district in the northeast, Hama in south and Latakia in the northwest.
For the Syrian opposition, it is their "last fortress." Also, the biggest armed groups fighting against the Assad regime are located in Idlib.
Fall of Daraa makes Idlib all the more crucial
The Syrian regime and its allies most recently captured Daraa following a brutal offensive. Daraa, which is located at the intersection of Jordan, the occupied Golan region and Lebanon -- was declared a de-escalation zone in July 2017, when a trilateral cease-fire agreement was reached, with the U.S., Russia and Jordan as guarantors.
However, Assad's forces, alongside Russia, began a ruthless offensive against the Daraa province on June 19 with daily bombing and shelling. The elderly, children and women were not safe from the attacks, and as a result, hundreds of thousands of civilians fled the area.
After the fall of Daraa, the regime and its allies started mobilizing to attack Idlib. By claiming that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an armed anti-regime group that is a dominant force in Idlib, is a terrorist organization, the Assad regime bolstered efforts to legitimize a military offensive.
The Syrian regime and Russia on Monday shelled a school and wounded four children in Jarjnaz village of Syria’s Idlib, the country's last major opposition-held stronghold.According to a statement issued by civil defense group The White Helmets, Since Monday morning, a total of 17 civilians, the majority of whom are women and childre, were injured in Syrian regime airstrikes.A total of 29 civilians were killed and 71 others were injured in Idlib and Hama over the past nine days as result of intensified aerial bombardment by the Syrian regime and Russia.Syrian opposition forces on red alert as Idlib offensive loomsTurkey tells 50,000 FSA fighters to be ready for deployment as tensions rise in IdlibAccording to opposition sources, ongoing aerial bombardment since the morning hours has targeted the towns of al-Habit, Jarjanaz, Heesh, al-Tamanea in southern Idlib, and al-Lataminah in the adjacent Hama province.The Syrian regime has recently announced plans to launch a major military offensive in the area, which has long been controlled by various armed opposition groups.The UN warned earlier this week that such an offensive would lead to the "worst humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century."#NEWS Air and artillery strikes against civilian infrastructure and rebel positions in #Idlib continue.Pictures from today.In the morning, a school was shelled with artillery, injuring 4 children in it.#Syria pic.twitter.com/A8oiXGXlEL— Julian Röpcke (@JulianRoepcke) 10 Eylül 2018 
Assad regime, Russia shell school in Syria’s Idlib, wound four children
As the Assad regime and Russian warplanes viciously attack the last opposition-held stronghold of Syria’s Idlib, Turkey ramped up its military reinforcements in northern Syria and instructed over 50,000 Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters stationed in Afrin, Azaz, Jarabulus, al-Bab and al-Rai to “be ready for military deployment.”The number of Turkish soldiers dispatched to northern Syria exceeded 30,000 in the areas within the scope of the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations and Idlib. The Turkish army also doubled its armored vehicles and tanks deployed at the Syrian border and dispatched missile platforms, artillery batteries at strategic points.Turkish forces are present at 12 points from Idlib's north to south, which are currently being fortified with cement walls and bulletproof watch towers against a regime attack.The Syrian regime has recently announced plans to launch a major military offensive in the area, which has long been controlled by various armed opposition groups.The UN warned earlier this week that such an offensive would lead to the "worst humanitarian catastrophe in the 21st century."Video: Turkey deploys military vehicles to SyriaFifty thousand opposition fighters ready for a major battle Turkey also requested that the Free Syrian army report and list their number of troops, weapons and ammunition. The FSA currently has 30,000 troops under the banner of the “Syrian National Army” in the areas within the scope of the Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations and will transfer 20,000 of them to Idlib. The National Front for Liberation, which was formed in May in northwestern Idlib and includes eleven opposition groups, has also a total of 30,000 fighters. The formation includes the following groups: Sham Legion, Jaysh al-Nasr, Free Idlib Army, 1st Costal Division, 2nd Costal Division, 1st Division, 2nd Army, Army of Elites, Shuhada al-Islam Darayya, al-Hurriyat Brigade, and 23rd Division.These groups have been operating in Idlib and the northern part of Hama under the banner of the Free Syrian Army.Turkish minister warns of mass migration from IdlibArab media highlights Erdoğan’s efforts for IdlibRussia and Assad regime target civiliansRussia and Assad regime have escalated their attacks on Syria’s Idlib and shelled 58 separated points in the last two days alone.At least 29 people, the majority of whom are civilians, were killed in land and air strikes in the towns of Idlib’s Jisr al-Shughur, Sahel Al-Gab and Morek.Located near the Turkish border, Idlib is home to more than 3 million Syrians, many of whom fled from other cities following attacks by regime forces.Erdoğan says Idlib assault would be ‘a grave massacre’“We won’t watch from the sidelines”“An attack on Syria's Idlib, the last opposition-held stronghold, would be a grave massacre,” Turkish President Erdoğan said ahead of the Tehran summit that was held as a part of the Astana process, which aims to find a lasting solution to the turmoil in Syria.Stressing the vicious attacks of the Assad regime and Russia, Erdoğan also underlined that “Turkey won’t watch the killings of tens of thousands of innocent people from the sidelines.”The presidents of Iran, Russia and Turkey gathered in Iran's capital Tehran on Friday to discuss the fate of the opposition-held province of Idlib.
Turkey tells 50,000 FSA fighters to be ready for deployment as tensions rise in Idlib
Syrian, Russian airstrikes target Idlib
Russian and Syrian warplanes bombed Idlib during a trilateral summit between the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran to discuss the very matter of Idlib. Turkey and Western powers have warned of a bloodbath if a major Russian-backed bombing campaign is launched in the heavily populated northwestern province that borders Turkey.
The bombing targets areas within a distance of 50 to 100 kilometers to the city center, and dozens, including children, have been killed while hundreds have been wounded. Hama has also been targeted by the intensive strikes.
Military reinforcements arrived at the Syrian border in Turkey's southern Kilis province on Monday. The military vehicles were transferred to troops on the Syrian side of the border.
Turkey deploys military vehicles to Syria
Opposition strikes back
The opposition, which is targeted by the regime and its allies, occasionally responds to the attacks with heavy weapons. The opposition struck back with rockets targeting regime forces stationed in Micenzerat, Sheikh Hadid, Hammamiyed and Sikelbiye.
Opposition groups in Idlib
On May, 14 opposition groups fighting against the Assad regime united under the banner of "National Liberation Front." Faylaq al-Sham, the Nasr Army, Free Idlib Army, 1st Beach Division, 2nd Beach Division, 1st Firqah, Distinguished Army, Shuda al-Islam Dareyya, Al-Hurriyah Brigade, 23rd Firqah, Syrian Liberation Front, Jaish al-Ahrar and Shukuru Sham have formed the largest military establishment against the regime, consisting of more than 70,000 fighters.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is the other dominant force in Idlib.
After the Nusra Front, which was on the UN terrorism list, dissolved in early 2017, some 25,000 fighters formed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Despite the fact that many of its components left the group, it still controls Bab al-Hawa Border Crossing.
Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests with unexpected ferocity.
Since then, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million others were displaced, according to UN officials.
Residents of Syria's northwestern city of Idlib are calling on Turkey to help ensure their security amid fears of an imminent assault by the Assad regime. Gathering after Friday prayers, residents of different districts of Idlib and western Aleppo marched through the streets holding banners written in English, Turkish and Arabic.Residents of Syria’s Idlib look to Turkey for security
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