Turkey, Russia complete 9th joint patrol in N.Syria

Turkey, Russia complete 9th joint patrol in N.Syria
# 20 November 2019 19:57 (UTC +04:00)

Turkish and Russian troops have completed the ninth round of joint ground patrols in northern Syria under a deal reached last month, APA reports citing Anadolu Agency.

"The ninth joint land patrol between Turkish and Russian units and UAV [unmanned aerial vehicles] support has been completed in the eastern Euphrates as according to plan," Turkey’s National Defense Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

“A total of eight vehicles comprising of four from each side participated in the ninth joint land patrol along with UAVs in the Ras al-Ayn – Qamishli sector.

“Turkish and Russian units patrolled an area of 38 kilometers (24 miles) length and 9 kilometers (5.5) depth,” the statement added.

The first joint ground patrols, on Nov. 1, took place near Ras al-Ayn and Qamishli regions east of the Euphrates River.

On Monday, the eighth patrols were carried out in the Ayn al-Arab region.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some 2 million refugees.

On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists would pull back 30 km (18.6 mi) south of Turkey’s border with Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will mount joint patrols there.

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THE OPERATION IS BEING PERFORMED