![Turkish and Russian troops carry out the 12th joint ground patrols in the east of Euphrates, between Qamishli-Derik on 30 November 2019. [TURKISH NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY / HANDOUT - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/20191130_2_39599941_49939387.jpg?fit=1081%2C800&ssl=1)
Turkish and Russian troops have completed the 12th round of joint ground patrols in northern Syria under a deal reached last month, Anadolu reports.
“Turkish and Russian units have completed their twelfth joint land patrol according to plan. A total of eight vehicles comprising of four from each side participated in the twelfth joint land patrol along with UAVs in the Qamishli-Derek sector,” Turkey’s National Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
“Turkish and Russian units patrolled an area of 69 kilometres [42.8-mile] length and 7 kilometres [4.3-mile] depth,” the statement added.
The first joint ground patrols, on Nov. 1, took place near Ras al-Ayn and Qamishli regions east of the Euphrates River.
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The 11th patrol was carried out in Qamishli and Derek regions.
Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.
Ankara wants YPG/PKK terrorists to withdraw from the region so a safe zone can be created to pave the way for the safe return of some two million refugees.
On Oct. 22, Ankara and Moscow reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists would pull back 30 km (18.6 mi) south of Turkey’s border with Syria, and security forces from Turkey and Russia would mount joint patrols there.