The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

Ongoing ceasefire in NE Syria | Five joint patrols conducted between Russia and Turkey in 2023

Russian and Turkish forces conducted several joint patrols in 2023 in areas in NE of Syria.

SOHR activists have documented the conduction of four patrols in 2023, three of which took place in Aleppo countryside near the Syrian-Turkish borders, and one in Al-Hasakah countryside, where this patrol was targeted by civilians rejecting the Syrian-Turkish rapprochement.

The details are summarised as follows:

On January 2: Russian and Turkish forces conducted a joint military patrol in the western countryside of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The joint patrol, comprising eight Russian and Turkish military vehicles, set off from Amsha village in the countryside of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani), amid a flight by two Russian helicopters over the area.

On January 9: A patrol, comprising seven Russian and Turkish military vehicles, set off from Gharib village, 15 kilometres east of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani).
The joint patrol toured the villages of Karbnaf, Kusk, Ali Shar, Jum Ali, Kortak, Kobak Satan, Tary, Tel Hajeb, Kabajak Sagher, Telk, Boztaba, Karagh Mogh and Jishan all the way to the junction of Kharabisan Fawqani village. The patrol then returned to Gharib village.

On January 16: Russian military police and Turkish forces have conducted a joint patrol in the western countryside of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The patrol, comprising eight Russian and Turkish military vehicles accompanied by two Russian helicopters, has set off from “Ashmeh” 20 kilometres to the west of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani). The joint patrol toured the villages of “Jarqli Fawqani, Qaran, Dikmadash, Khorkhuri, Buban, Joul Beik,” reaching Tel Shaeer village, four kilometres to the west of Kobani city.

On January 23: Russian military police have conducted a joint patrol with the Turkish forces in the eastern countryside of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani), marking the 124th since the ceasefire agreement in north-eastern Syria. The patrol, comprising seven Russian and Turkish military vehicles, has set off from Gharib village, 15 kilometres to the east of Ain Al-Arab (Kobani).

On January 12: Russian and Turkish forces conducted, on Thursday morning, a new joint patrol in Al-Hasakah countryside in north-east of Syria. Four Russian vehicles, accompanied by four Turkish vehicles, set off from Shirik crossing west of Al-Derbasiyah, touring villages in the countryside, reaching the western countryside of Amuda, and the joint patrol toured the villages. The people threw stones at the patrol in Al-Karbatli village as an expression of the rejection of the Russian-Turkish agreements and the presence of Turks in their areas.