The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Turkey – Russia joint patrol tours villages in rural Ain Al-Arab (Kobani)

Syrian Observatory activists reported seeing a Turkey – Russia joint patrol of four Russian vehicles and four Turkish others touring villages in the western countryside of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The patrol started from Ashma village and toured the villages of Jarqili Fuqani, Qarran, Dikmash, Kharkhuri, Buban, Saftik, Al-Iza’a area, Susan, Qula, Qaraquy, Beyandar, Mashku and Jabna, before returning to Ashma again. Two Russian helicopters escorted the patrol during its tour.

On February 17, SOHR sources reported seeing Russian and Turkish forces running a new joint patrol in Ras Al-Ain and Abu Rasin countryside. Four Russian vehicles and four Turkish others started from Sherik crossing on the border with Turkey and toured the villages of Badlik, Malak, Zahr Al-Arab, Abbas, Ibrahimi, Fuqayrah, Hulwah and Arrad in the northern countryside of Abu Rasin and the eastern countryside of Ras Al-Ain, then they returned to Sherik again.

A Russian helicopter escorted the joint patrol flying at low altitude. It is the first joint patrol to be run by the Turkish and Russian forces since the start of tension between the two sides.