Al-Hasakah | Russian forces run two patrols in rural Al-Malikiyyah, two days after popular rejection of Russia’s military presence

SOHR sources have reported that Russian forces have conducted two separate military patrols in Al-Malikiyyah area (Dayrik) in the far north-eastern Syria, near Syria-Turkey border in Al-Hasakah countryside.

 

Both patrols, each comprising four armoured vehicles, toured the northern and western countryside of Al-Malikiyah countryside, as a patrol toured Ain Diwar village in northern Al-Malikiyyah, while the other toured Qasr Deeb and Kani Ni’mah villages in western and north-western Al-Malikiyyah.

 

These patrols come two days after popular rejection of Russia’s military presence in the region.

 

On October 11, SOHR sources reported that Russian forces withdrew from Ain Diwar village in Al-Hasakah countryside, a few hours after the patrol was stationed there following altercation with the village’s people who expressed rejection of the presence of the Russians in their areas.

 

According to SOHR sources, verbal argument erupted between a woman from the village and a Russian officer who said that the Russian forces came to protect the civilians. Moreover, the Russians accused the residents of “being paid for blocking the Russian patrol. A woman responded to the Russians’ accusations saying: “Go away. We do not want you. We are safe. Go and stop ‘Erdogan’ from attacking us. You sold us out in Afrin and Sere Kaniye. Come on, bring them back from Erdogan’s grip. What are you doing here?! We do not need your protection.”

 

A few hours earlier, Observatory sources said that residents of Ain Dewar village in the countryside of Al-Malikiya city at the Syrian-Turkish border in Al-Hasakah countryside blocked a Russian column of 11 military vehicles, preventing it from crossing the main road to the town.