Possible targeting of joint Russian – Turkish patrol in Syria’s Idlib countryside

IDLIB, Syria (North Press)  – Russian-Turkish joint patrol began on the Aleppo-Lattakia M4 highway on Tuesday, amid air cover from both forces. The patrol travelled from the town of Tarnaba, southwest of Saraqeb, to the town of Kefir in the countryside of Jisr al-Shughour city.

Meanwhile, rumors spread about the possible targeting of a Russian vehicle during the joint patrol, despite air and land cover.

A field source told North Press that an explosion was heard near the patrol's location, though the reports are still unconfirmed. The sound was allegedly the result of a landmine explosion near a Russian vehicle involved in the patrol.

It was expected that the joint patrol would complete its final path, which monitors the road from the village of Tarnaba to the town of Ain al-Hoor in Latakia countryside.

Turkish forces deployed infantry and military vehicles near the town of Neirab, near the city of Ariha, and the village of Mhambel to ensure the protection of the patrol from any possible attack.

This is the first patrol that traverses this particular path since the start of joint patrols after the ceasefire agreement in the de-escalation areas between Putin and Erdogan in early March.