Turkey-backed Syrian mercenary shot dead in Armenia-Azerbaijan clashes: Syrian observatory
The observatory said that 320 'Syrian mercenaries' backed by Turkey have been sent to the warzone by Turkish security companies
Military trucks are seen on the side of a road near the village of Zangakatun in Armenia on September 30, 2020. (Photo: AFP)
A Syrian mercenary affiliated with Turkish-backed militias was shot dead during the ongoing clashes between Armenia and Azerbaijan over Nagorny Karabakh, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights announced on Wednesday.
The observatory said it received information that 320 “Syrian mercenaries” backed by Turkey have been sent to the warzone by Turkish security companies, even though they had been contracted to protect oilfields.
The observatory added that most of the mercenaries are affiliated with the Turkish-backed Sultan Murad division and the Suleyman Shah Brigade.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quick to voice support for Azerbaijan, claiming that Armenia is “the biggest threat to peace in the region.”
According to Sky News Arabia, Turkish authorities informed the mercenaries that they will be responsible for protecting border sites in return for payment ranging from $1,500 to $2,000.
The territorial dispute between Azerbaijan and Armenia over Nagorny Karabakh has been ongoing for decades, with the latest clashes taking place on Sunday.