Turkish forces captured 18 people, suspected of being part of Assad regime forces, around the northern Syrian town of Ras al Ain, the defense minis
Turkish forces captured 18 people, suspected of being part of Assad regime forces, around the northern Syrian town of Ras al Ain, the defense ministry said on Tuesday, adding the issue was being coordinated with Russian officials.
“18 people who were claimed to be the (Syrian) Regime elements were captured alive in the southeast of Ras al Ain during the search/detection/reconnaissance/security activities. The issue is being examined and coordinated with the authorities of the Russian Federation,” the ministry said on Twitter.
On Oct. 9, Turkey launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
Last week, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin held a meeting in Russia’s Black Sea resort town of Sochi.
Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which terrorist elements will pull back 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) south of Turkey’s border with northern Syria within 150 hours, and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols there.