Trucks arrived at the observation post located in the town of Shir Maghar in the northern Hama province late Monday night in preparation for the evacuation, a source from a Turkish-backed rebel faction said.

Turkey has 12 observation posts in the last Syrian rebel stronghold Idlib as a part of a Turkish-Russian deal signed in 2018. The agreement establishes a de-escalation zone to prevent fighting in the province, which is home to nearly three million people.

Last month, Reuters reported Turkey was removing troops from a military post in the region that was encircled by Syrian government forces last year.

The forces pulling back from Shir Maghar will rebase at a new military post in the village of Kokfin, a member of Turkish security forces told Reuters, in the rebel-held area of Idlib where thousands of Turkish troops are stationed.

Turkey is also preparing to withdraw from additional posts located in areas captured by Syrian government forces last year, a Turkish official said.

Reporter’s code: 50101