Russia deploys troops in Syrian Kurdish town near Turkish border

Russia has deployed nearly 100 troops and military advisers in the northern Syrian town of Qamishli, which is located near the border with Turkey, injecting a new source of potential friction with Ankara, which has grown wary of outside powers' increasing cooperation with Kurdish militia the People's Protection Units (YPG), and outside powers.


Based on information from local activists, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights claimed that Russia sent a team of military technicians and experts, along with troops, to examine the airfield and other facilities in the town for possible further deployment of Russian forces.

The move is likely to cause tension with Turkey. It also comes during a continuing row between Turkey and Russia after the Turkish air force shot down a Russian jet it claimed violated its airspace late last November.

The plane's downing sparked a crisis, prompting Russia to deploy its cutting-edge air defense systems, S-400s, to an air base near Latakia, very close to the Turkish border.

 Russia warned that it will respond to any threat to its aircraft, and Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the country's commanders to act swiftly if Turkish jets violate Syrian airspace.
   todayszaman.com
21/1/16
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