Russian Troops Patrol between Turkish and Syrian Forces

(Guardian-UK) Bethan McKernan - Russian units have begun patrolling territory separating Turkish-backed Syrian rebels from the Syrian army around Manbij in northeast Syria, in a sign that Moscow has become the power broker in the region after the evacuation of U.S. troops. Moscow's special envoy to Syria, Alexander Lavrentyev, said on Tuesday Russia opposed the Turkish operation and would not allow direct clashes between Turkey and Syrian forces. Kurdish officials struck a Russian-brokered deal with Damascus on Sunday for reinforcements to protect Kurdish-held border positions. Syrian state media reported that Kurdish officials agreed to a deal allowing the Syrian regime to protect both Manbij and nearby Kobane from the Turkish assault. Airstrikes and shelling of Kurdish-controlled roads and towns has displaced 160,000 people and killed at least 165 civilians. Kurdish-led SDF counterattacks over the border have left 20 Turkish civilians dead.


2019-10-16 00:00:00

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