Turkey and Russia to resume joint patrols in northern Syria

4 Jan. () –

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar reported on Wednesday that Turkey and Russia will resume joint patrols in northern Syria following the agreement reached between the two countries and with the aim of dealing with terrorism and migration.

“The necessary agreements were reached. This process will continue with the establishment of joint centers and the resumption of joint patrols and meetings between experts,” he asserted.

Thus, he stressed that the desire of Russia and Turkey is that the process “continue in a reasonable, logical and successful manner”, according to information collected by the Turkish newspaper ‘Hurriyet’.

Akar has responded to questions about his recent meeting with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoigu, and Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmud Abbas. The meeting was the first between senior Syrian and Turkish officials since the civil war broke out in 2011.

The minister stressed that Turkey “has always been respectful of the sovereignty and rights of neighboring countries” and has stressed that its purpose is “to protect citizens and its own borders from terrorist actions.”

“Our desire is to successfully fight terrorism. That is what we want to do,” he stressed in relation to the agreement between the two countries to carry out patrol work in northern Syria in accordance with the protocol agreed in 2019.

In addition, Akar has indicated that another of Ankara’s priorities is “to return to Syria the migrants that it has been hosting for the last decade.” “We want to return our Syrian brothers voluntarily and with dignity to their country,” she asserted.