First joint Russian-Turkish patrol arrives in Latakia

Military vehicles participating the joint patrol in south of Idlib countryside. North Press.

IDLIB, Syria (North Press) – The first joint Russian-Turkish patrol arrived on Wednesday to the town of Ain Hour in Latakia countryside, after the deployment of Turkish forces on the M4 Highway, in conjunction with an explosion near Ariha city.

 

Before launching the joint patrol, Turkish forces deployed on the M4 Highway in order to protect the patrol.

 

Turkish-affiliated engineering crews combed the road, detonating two land mines that were planted near the entrance of Ariha city.

 

The joint Russian-Turkish patrol, which started its path from Taranba town in Idlib countryside, arrived to Ain Hour in Latakia countryside, which is an armed opposition group-held area and the end of the patrol path, according to the two parties agreement.

 

Turkish vehicles stopped at Ain Hour point, where Russian vehicles continued towards the Syrian government-held area of Ain Bayda.

On July 7, a VBIED exploded in Mesibin town south of Ariha city while a joint patrol was traveling in the area, injuring at least three Russian soldiers and damaging four vehicles.

A local source said that "this patrol is likely to be the last one on the M4 highway after it completed the path agreed upon on March 5."

 

Russian President Putin and his Turkish counterpart Erdogan agreed on March 5 to stop the fighting in the de-escalation zone and conduct joint patrols on Aleppo-Latakia highway, starting from Taranba south of Saraqeb heading towards Ain Hour in Latakia countryside.