Russia proposes deploying Syrian security forces on Syria-Turkey border
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova expressed concern over Turkey’s new potential military operation in northern Syria, noting to the possibility of deploying Syrian security forces on the border between the two countries.
“We hope that Ankara will refrain from actions that could lead to a dangerous deterioration of the already difficult situation in Syria,” Zakharova said in a statement on Thursday.
“Such a move, in the absence of the agreement of the legitimate government of the Syrian Arab Republic, would be a direct violation of Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity” and would “cause a further escalation of tensions in Syria,” she added.
On May 23, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey is preparing for a new military operation in northern Syria to establish a 30-km deep safe zone along its southern border.
The Turkish Safe Zone is an area 30-35 km (19-22 miles) deep into Syrian territory that Turkey started establishing in 2019, claiming that it aims at housing Syrian refugees in an area along its border with Syria, as well as to keep it free from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which it regards as terrorists.
On Wednesday Erdogan renewed threats of a military offensive in northern Syria, claiming to “clean up Tal Rifat and Manbij,” in a reference to two northern Syrian cities.
Zakharova highlighted the possibility of ensuring border security by deploying Syrian security forces on the Syrian-Turkish border.
About two weeks ago, the Russian forces intensified their patrols along the front lines separating the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) areas and those controlled by the Turkish forces and the Turkish-backed armed Syrian opposition factions (also known as Syrian National Army, SNA).
Following the Turkish “Peace Spring” military operation in October 2019, which resulted in the occupation of the two cities of Tel Abyad, north of Raqqa, and Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain), north of Hasakah, Turkey signed two ceasefire agreements, one with Russia and the other with the US.
The agreements stipulate halt of all hostilities there and the withdrawal of the SDF 30 km in depth away from the Turkish border in addition to conducting Turkish-Russian joint patrols in order to monitor the implementation of the agreements.