Turkey and Russia have resumed joint military patrols in northern Syria, nearly a year after they were suspended. These patrols are taking place in the Operation Peace Spring area, a 30-kilometer strip along the Turkey-Syria border captured from Kurdish fighters by Turkish and allied forces in 2019. The resumption of patrols aligns with Turkey’s efforts to improve relations with Syrian President Bashar Assad, who is backed by Russia. Assad has indicated he will only meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to discuss the withdrawal of Turkish troops and an end to Turkish support for Syrian fighters he deems terrorists.
The patrols, which first began in November 2019, had previously involved 344 operations before being paused last October. The renewed patrols aim to enhance border security, protect civilians, and identify Kurdish fighters’ positions. Turkey views the YPG, a Kurdish militia, as a terrorist group due to its links with the PKK, while the U.S. supports the YPG as part of its alliance with the Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIS, causing friction between Turkey and the U.S.
Shongjog 