Turkey, Russia Launch Joint Patrols in Syrian Province

Turkey and Russia launched joint military patrols in Syria’s Idlib Province on Friday, following an agreement made in September to prevent the government in Damascus from launching an attack, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters. “Our cooperation with Russia has improved,” he said. “We see this as a significant step for the continuation of the ceasefire and ensuring stability.” The agreement tasks Russian forces with patrolling the edge of the province while the Turkish army operates in the demilitarized zone. Idlib Province, home to roughly three million civilians, is the last stronghold held by Syrian rebels. Since January, it has been controlled by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda. Ankara, already hosting over three million Syrian refugees, fears that an attack on the rebel-held province could force many more refugees to its borders. The Syrian civil war began in 2011 as a largely peaceful uprising against President Bashar al-Assad, but quickly developed into a war when Assad refused to concede power. It is estimated that at least half a million people have died in the war.