Al Jazeera: Nearly three million Syrians living in the northwestern province of Idlib are bracing for a possible government assault, which neighbouring Turkey has warned would result in a large-scale humanitarian disaster. Idlib is the last remaining opposition stronghold in the country. It is home to about three million people, half of whom are internally displaced.
If the forces loyal to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad press ahead with an offensive, observers say
as many as 2.5 million Syrians could try to flee to the shuttered Turkish border, creating a new refugee crisis.
On Friday, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned against the possible assault, while offering to work with Syria’s ally, Russia, to pursue a ceasefire in the area and prevent a mass exodus.
Many in Idlib are already preparing themselves for the worst case scenario.
“We won’t leave our nation alone again, we will defend our people until the last breath,” Ahmad Ghajar, an Idlib resident, told Al Jazeera.
Meanwhile, Muhammad al-Hajj Marai, owner of a candy shop, said the possible Syrian government assault “does no difference”.
“Why should I be scared? Assad has already been killing us for seven years – our families, brothers, and sisters, even the children.” Since the conflict, Idlib has provided a refuge for many Syrians fleeing other parts of the country, including after government offensives targeting other rebel-held parts of the country.
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