Militants in Northern Syria Fear Turkey's Lack of Support

The Arabic-language al-Watan newspaper quoted sources close to the National Liberation Front terrorist group in Idlib province as saying on Wednesday that the AKP's defeat in a number of large cities, including Istanbul and Ankara, has created panic among the Ankara-backed militants.

They added that Erdogan's policies towards Syria and his support for the terrorist groups have decreased his popularity among the people in Turkey, noting that the Turkish president will likely reduce support for Tahrir al-Sham al-Hay'at (the Levant Liberation Board or the Al-Nusra Front) in Idlib province and Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in Northern and Northeastern Aleppo and will adopt more logical political positions on Astana and Sochi agreements.

Nationwide, an AKP-led alliance won 51.6% of the vote but it is contesting the slim opposition victory in the country's biggest city, Istanbul.

Sunday's municipal elections also delivered opposition CHP wins in the capital, Ankara, and in Izmir.

The AKP underlines irregularities, and is challenging the results in every Istanbul district.

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