First Russian-Turkish joint exercise finished in Syria
IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation carried out the first joint exercise of Russian and Turkish troops in order to fight armed groups in Syria on Monday.
Russia Today quoted the head of the Russian Reconciliation Center for Syria, who confirmed that the exercise took place in Ternaba in Idlib province.
The commander stated that “Russian military police and Turkish armed forces conducted the first joint exercise.”
“The exercise included a joint shooting of subversive groups affiliated with armed gangs that refuse reconciliation, withdrawing the affected military equipment, and providing first-aid to wounded,” he added.
He further clarified, “This exercise aims to guarantee the safety of Russian-Turkish joint patrols on the M4 Highway in Idlib to ease escalation.”
The joint patrols are conducted on the highway according to the Russian-Turkish deal signed on March 5.
Armed groups repeatedly attacked Russian-Turkish joint patrols on the M4 Highway that connects Aleppo to Latakia, the last of which was on August 25, when two Russian soldiers were injured and a Russian armored vehicle was damaged.
In a statement, the Russian Reconciliation Center confirmed that armed groups fired a grenade launcher at the patrol.
While US-Turkish divisions deepen, Ankara and Moscow are increasing cooperation in Syria. Russia and Turkey back rival sides in the civil war, but increasingly are working together along with Iran to end the conflict under the auspices of the Astana agreement.