Russia keeps strengthening its existence in NE Syria, east of Euphrates River

By Esref Musa and Omer Koparan

TEL ABYAD, Syria (AA) - Russia on Monday carried out a military shipment to an airport in Syria's PKK/YPG-occupied Qamishli district in the northeastern al-Hasakah province, east of the Euphrates.

On Monday morning, two Russian military cargo aircraft of the Ilyushin Il-76 type landed at the airport in the Qamishli district, most of which is occupied by the PKK/YPG terror group, in al-Haseka, local sources told Anadolu Agency.

About 300 Russian soldiers were on board the planes taking off from Latakia's Khmeimim military airport, as well as military vehicles.

On June 3, the Russian army brought a short- and medium-range air defense system Pantsir-S1 to the Qamishli district.

On June 8, two tanks, a radar system, an anti-aircraft gun of the Dochka type and eight personnel carrier armored vehicles were delivered to the base in Tal Tamir, located on the southeastern front line of Operation Peace Spring.

The number of soldiers of the Russian army in Ayn Issa, Tal Tamir, Manbij, Ayn al-Arab, and Qamishli also increased.

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 enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, UK, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

The YPG is the PKK terror group's Syrian offshoot.

*Writing by Merve Berker in Ankara