Sochi Agreement: Implications on the Ground and Upcoming Challenges BILAL SALAYMEH, CAN ACUN INTRODUCTION Despite a speculated assault by the Assad regime on op- position controlled the Idlib region, Turkey and Rus- sia have reached an agreement that averted the attack. Te Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the Stabilization of the Situation in Idlib’s De-escalation Zone was signed by Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu and his Turkish counterpart Minister of National De- fense Hulusi Akar following the Sochi summit held, in the Russian coastal city of Sochi, on September 17, 2018. In addition to its success in averting a humanitarian catastrophe, the Sochi accord will have several implica- tions on the ground, and will further infuence the future of the Idlib region and Syria in general. Yet, this accord would face several challenges in both short and long terms. WHAT DOES THE SOCHI MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING MEAN FOR IDLIB? Te Idlib region, which consists of the Idlib province and narrow areas of northern Hama, western Aleppo and northeastern part of the Latakia province, has been controlled by the Syrian opposition factions since mid- 2015. Since then, the region has been the fnal destina- tion of ten thousands of Syrians who have been displaced due to the Syrian regime’s besiege-hunger-displace strat- egy. Te Assad regime has besieged the opposition-held zones in several parts of Syria including eastern and western Ghouta (Damascus’ suburbs), northern Homs, and southern Dara province. Te severe blockage had worsened the humanitarian situation in the besieged zones, and with the Assad regime’s blind bombing, in- cluding the use of barrel bombs, the Syrian opposition groups and their local supporters were forced to evacuate their areas and resettle in the Idlib province. Tese forced transformations of armed men and civilian IDPs have not only made Idlib as the last cas- tle for the opposition, but they also have accumulated several problems in the Idlib region complicating the current situation further. Tus, the Idlib region rep- resents multidimensional and accumulated problems. • What does the Sochi Agreement Mean for Idlib? • What are the Implications of This Agreement? • What are the Challenges Facing the Sochi Agreement? NO: 47 NOVEMBER 2018 Bilal SALAYMEH Bilal Salaymeh holds a Bachelor’s (AYBU) and an MS (METU) degree in International Relations. Currently, he is pursuing his PhD in International Relations at METU. Salaymeh is also serving as a research assistant at the SETA Foundation Foreign Policy Research Department. His research interests revolve around the Middle East with particular focus on Syria and the Palestinian Issue. Can ACUN Can Acun is a researcher SETA Foreign Policy Department. He received a BA from the International Relations Department at Eastern Mediterranean University and an MA from the Department of Political Science and International Afairs at Yeditepe University. Acun has also received an education in Intercultural Dialogue in Canada, and has conducted research for SETA at the Center for Turkey Research in Cairo, Egypt. Acun currently works at SETA-Ankara on Egypt and the Middle East. PERSPECTIVE