Militants in Idlib Given Last Chance to Surrender to Syrian Military

The General Staff of the Syrian army said it gives one last chance to the militants operating in the province of Idlib to lay down their arms, Ikhbariya news reported, adding that the army was ready to repel any Turkish aggression in the province, Sputnik reported

"Our armed forces are trying to give the last chance to the militants and save the lives of the besieged civilians. The army units operating in the region have been ordered to allow those who decide not to rely on the support of the Turkish forces, to surrender their weapons", the source said.

The source added that the Syrian Army was continuing its military operation against the militants, who have been fighting civilians and using them as "shields" in Saraqib and Tell Touqan in Idlib.

Fighting has escalated in Syria's Idlib recently, as the army is trying to recapture militant-held areas in Idlib province, which remains a major terrorist stronghold in the country.

Idlib is home to various militant factions, with a large portion of it controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group (formerly known as Al-Nusra Front), the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda.

In September 2018, Moscow and Ankara agreed to set up a demilitarized zone along the contact line between the armed militants and Syrian government forces in Idlib. However, not all militants have laid down their arms, with the province remaining a stronghold of various terrorist groups.