The Abu al-Duhur checkpoint was opened on September 13 after a long break.

Axar.az reports citing TASS that Militants of the anti-government groups in the Idlib Governorate in northern Syria do not let locals out to the territories controlled by the government. The Abu al-Duhur checkpoint for the withdrawal of civilian population and rebels wishing to lay down arms, that opened a few days ago after a long break, is empty. Syrian Army Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, who is responsible for the organization of the humanitarian corridor, told journalists about it.

"According to the intelligence service, a great number of people wish to leave this zone, but terrorist groups staying in Idlib are blocking the operation of the humanitarian corridor. The roads leading to the checkpoint are blocked, and the people are prohibited to leave the area under the threat of shooting. In fact, the militants are hiding behind civilians, using them as a human shield," the Syrian general said.

The Abu al-Duhur checkpoint was opened on September 13 after a long break - it had worked from March until December 2018. At that time village elders acted as intermediaries. The re-opening was carried out at the initiative of the Russian Reconciliation Center for the Opposing Sides in close cooperation with the Syrian side.

According to the Center, almost 45,000 people have left the Idlib de-escalation zone since March 4, 2018. They took about 4,700 transport vehicles and almost 55,000 cattle with them.