Another joint patrol by Russian and Turkish troops took place in Kobanê on Monday. The patrol started in the village of Xerîb about 15 kilometers east of Kobanê and ended in the village of Benderxan in the west of the city. Two Russian military helicopters accompanied four armored cars from each of the two armies.

In Benderxan, the column returned to its starting point. The Turkish military drove back across the border to the territory of Turkey, and the Russian military police returned to their base near Kobanê. The joint patrols are part of an agreement between Turkey and Russia, which was concluded after the Turkish invasion in October 2019.

Today's ride was already the 53rd joint patrol. It was supposed to have been carried out a week ago on Monday. However, the patrol was canceled because of protests in the region against the Turkish water embargo.

Protests against inspection tours

In the past, there have been repeated protests against the joint patrols, often with angry people attacking the vehicles with stones. In November 2018, eight people were injured by gunfire, including two journalists, during protests against a Turkish-Russian patrol through Kobanê. A few days earlier, civilian Serxwebûn Ali was run over by a Turkish military vehicle while patrolling between Girkê Legê and Dêrik. He succumbed to his severe injuries. Another five people were also injured.