Russian forces stationed in northern Syria have withdrawn a part of their troops due to provocations from the SDF militia.
Sources informed Al-Mayadeen that Moscow is pulling back some of its forces in northern Syria because of provocations from the SDF. Al-Mayadeen clarified that the SDF targeted points belonging to the Turkish army in the countryside of Hasakah, putting Russian observation points at risk. The sources added that despite the Russians informing the SDF leadership about the need to cease provocations, they have not stopped, which necessitated the withdrawal.
In a related context, the SDF suddenly transferred 18 foreign officials from ISIS without prior coordination with the International Coalition from the "Ghuiran Prison" in Hasakah to the "Alaya Prison" in the Qamishli area of northern Hasakah for unknown reasons.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that its forces conducted a series of military exercises with the Syrian tank forces that included maneuvers and firing drills, indicating an increase in the combat readiness of the Syrian army. The ministry stated in a report that the Russian military recently carried out a series of training, including various military maneuvers and specific firing exercises with the Syrian tank forces in Aleppo province in northern Syria, without mentioning the timing of these operations.
The ministry noted that work on the ground occurred on both sides, where heavy equipment ensured coverage for the infantry forces that were active in strike launch positions. The statement explained that Russian military personnel monitored every step taken by the Syrian tank battalions, providing immediate clarification and correction of mistakes on the ground. It pointed out that there were maneuvers that the Syrian side had to practice multiple times, sometimes requiring about three hours of time.
In this regard, Russian military official Grigory Lazutkin, who participated in the maneuvers, stated that "the Syrian armed forces are not today what they were at the beginning of this war," referring to the crisis that has plagued the country since 2011.
