Russia sends troops to Turkey After pipeline explosion: NATO must protect pipelines and internet lines in the sea

Russia is apparently moving troops to northern Syria, where Turkey just attacked Kurdish fighters. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, soldiers have been seen in the border town of Kobane. In addition, a nearby airbase is being reinforced.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan does not rule out a ground offensive in the region. According to the Observatory, the deployment of Russian troops could serve as a warning to Ankara. The disputed region is just 15 kilometers from the Turkish border and is controlled by Kurdish fighters. According to unconfirmed reports from local residents, Russian soldiers have already been spotted, who are said to have set up roadblocks.

Warning from Baerbock

Russia is an ally of the Syrian regime and has been fighting alongside the regime since 2015. In the same year, a Russian plane was shot down by Turkey. An agreement with Turkey secured Moscow a presence in northeastern Syria. Yet there were always tensions, partly because thousands of refugees came to Turkey as a result of the war in Syria. Turkey supports Syrian rebels fighting against the regime in Damascus. Recently, however, initial talks have taken place between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday called on Turkey to show restraint in taking action against Kurdish militias in Syria and Iraq. In conversations she made it clear that international law naturally applies to protection against terrorism, the Greens politician said on the sidelines of a NATO meeting in Bucharest on Wednesday. She also appealed to refrain from any measures “that would further fuel the spiral of violence”. As an example, she cited “a possible ground offensive in northern Syria” and the military actions in northern Iraq. (cpf)