Russia-Turkey deal gives Idlib's wary residents 'glimpse of hope'
Idlib's fearful civilians cautiously welcome 'demilitarised' zone deal but express concern over Assad's commitment.
Civilians in Syria's last rebel-held bastion have cautiously welcomed a "fragile" agreement signed by Ankara and Moscow to create a demilitarised zone that put on hold a threatened offensive on Idlib, even as they expressed concerns over whether the deal will last.
Residents of the province and its suburbs, home to nearly three million people - half of whom are internally displaced - have also questioned the willingness of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government to abide by the agreement, described by observers as a diplomatic breakthrough.
The 15 to 20km-wide zone, expected to be implemented by October 15, would allow the "withdrawal of all radical fighters" from Idlib, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart.
This includes Hay'et Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is dominated by a rebel faction previously known as al-Nusra Front before renouncing its ties to al-Qaeda.
Dr Habib Kshouf said people in his village of Kherbet Eljoz were genuinely scared of a full-scale government-led assault prior to the agreement.
"The Sochi agreement gave people a glimpse of hope, that they would be spared an aerial and ground assault by government forces and Russia - at least for the time being," the 55-year-old told Al Jazeera from Jisr al-Shughour district, which recently came under bombardment.
At least 1.5 million of Idlib's population fled the Syrian government's advance in other provinces and now reside in makeshift camps that lack basic services such as clean drinking water and access to uninterrupted electricity.
"This [agreement] would ensure the return of electricity, water, and other basic services to people here," Kshouf said.
'Win-win' for all sides
The deal, welcomed by UN envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura on Tuesday, also requires opposition fighters to give up their heavy weaponry.
According to Marwan Kabalan, director of the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies, the agreement is a "win-win situation for almost everybody".
"For Putin, this is the best he can achieve at this point of time," Kabalan told Al Jazeera.
For the Syrian government and Russia, the deal will move opposition fighters towards the north to secure a highway that leads to the Hmeimin airbase - operated by Russia - from any attacks.
It will also allow the reopening of the M5 highway that links the capital Damascus to Aleppo, and eventually to the trade route to Turkey and Europe.
Kabalan said the agreement "should be perceived as a victory" by opposition fighters.
"The agreement did not ask for the opposition's complete disarmament," he noted. "And they will be staying in Idlib - they were not asked to relocate like they were in Deraa and Eastern Ghouta."
Yet residents are concerned about whether the agreement will hold.
The government has been accused of "indiscriminate attacks" targeting civilian infrastructure in Idlib by NGOs and aid organisations - including Islamic Relief
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