The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reports in today’s publication that the Turkish Army has started the process to create another military position in northwestern Syria in the province of Idlib. 

According to the London-based monitoring group, the new outpost is being built near Khirbat al-Naqus, one of the major cities of the al-Ghab plains in Hama’s northwestern countryside. 

According to information, Turkish engineering units are building dams, installing prefabricated fortifications, and digging tunnels in the area.

The new Turkish position is just a few kilometers away from a camp in the city of Jurin controlled by Bashar al-Assad’s government, where the elite 25th Special Forces Division of the Syrian Arab Army, also known as the “Tiger Force”, is based, as is the Russian Army. 

“The importance of the new position comes from its proximity to regime forces and the Russian camp at Qal’at Mirza, northwest of Jurin,” SOHR said in its report.

This was the second position created by the Turkish military in Idlib this year. The first post was established inside the town of Afesh in the southern countryside of Idlib in January. The second post was built in June near the town of Midiya, also in the southern countryside of the province.

The Turkish Army maintains more than 60 positions in Idlib province. However, it is making no effort to implement the ceasefire agreement in the region brokered two years ago.

The recent expansion of the Turkish military is apparently intended to deter Damascus and its allies. This is especially important right now as Turkey desires to launch a new military operation against Kurdish forces in northern and northeastern Syria.

Also read: Russia, Turkey, Iran call for “calm” in Syria