Russian and Turkish military policemen have conducted a coordinated patrol route in the northern Aleppo province in Syria, a TASS correspondent reports. No incidents were recorded during the patrol.
"The main task today is to conduct a coordinated patrol with the Turkish Armed Forces, and during the patrol to record facts of ceasefire violations between the warring parties and to demonstrate the presence of the Russian Armed Forces on the territory of Syria. The situation here is what I would describe as stable, as we are 5 km away from the frontline. We are in contact with the population every day, we help them in every way we can," patrol platoon commander Vasily Nistor told reporters.
He said that recently there have been more and more refugees returning to their homes in the area. The lack of direct conflict with the insurgents is contributing to this. The patrol's route runs from Tell Rifaat to Tell Ajar settlement and back.
The patrols ran in parallel on both sides of the line of contact. The Russian convoy included two Tiger armored vehicles and one Typhoon.
In September 2015, as IS (Islamic State, an organization banned in Russia) became more active, Russia launched a military operation against the militants in Syria at the request of President Bashar al-Assad. A de-escalation zone was established in northwest Syria in 2017. A cease-fire has been in effect there since March 6, 2020, following agreements reached between Russia and Turkey, but terrorists regularly violate the truce.
Turkey has conducted three military operations in northern Syria since 2017. A security buffer zone was established between the cities of Aazaz and Jerablus north of Aleppo, Afrin was occupied, and border areas east of the Euphrates River were taken under control. Russia and Turkey agreed on joint actions to resolve the situation in northeastern Syria. Russian military police and the Syrian military were introduced into the areas bordering the zone of the Turkish operation, the Kurdish formations were given 150 hours to liberate a 30-kilometer zone from the border with Turkey. The withdrawal of Kurdish units in accordance with the Sochi agreements was carried out and Turkey and Russia began joint patrols.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Creative Commons
Based on materials from TASS