Russia vehicles unload landmines in North Syria countryside

Russian military vehicles have unloaded large numbers of anti-personnel and anti-tank mines in northern Syria’s countryside of Tal Rifaat, which is controlled by the YPG/PKK, Anadolu Agency reported on Friday.

Members of the YPG/PKK group, designated a terror group by Turkey, were seen planting the mines in northern Syria. This measure is allegedly being taken to strengthen the group’s presence in the region.

YPG/PKK members are laying landmines on the frontlines in the Tanab and Julbul regions in the west of the Tal Rifaat district of Aleppo, located 11 miles from the Turkish border.

Four Russian-made ZiL military vehicles delivered the mines, arriving early on Wednesday at Menagh Military Air Base.

Russian Novosti has reported that Turkey is preparing to launch two new military operations in Syria that could start at any moment without prior announcement.

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During its anti-terror operations, Turkey, in coordination with the Syrian National Army, detected and destroyed a large number of mines in YPG-occupied areas east of the Euphrates, Anadolu Agency disclosed.

The organisation captured Tal Rifaat in February 2016 with Russian air support.

Anadolu Agency said that the group has been attacking Turkish security forces and opposition fighters providing security to settlements in the Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch regions.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and to enable the peaceful settlement of residents, according to Anadolu Agency.

During its over 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, Anadolu Agency revealed, noting that the YPG is PKK’s Syrian branch.​​​​​​