Civilians and media figures often compare Idlib, which is under control of the Syrian Salvation Government affiliated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a group designated as a terrorist organization in the United States — to areas governed by Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions.
Despite the hardships facing civilians, be it in Idlib or in the areas affected by operations Euphrates Shield, Olive Branch and Peace Spring, and despite the overpopulation in Idlib and its countryside as a result of the displacement of hundreds of thousands, Idlib remains relatively stable and secure with almost no explosions hitting markets, unlike the areas under control of the Turkish-backed factions.