Why do Russia’s patrols in Syria keep running into trouble?

According to reports, there were tensions on June 2 when a Russian vehicle tried to enter some areas near Derik in eastern Syria

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
A motorbike burns after an airstrike in this screen grab taken from a social media video said to be taken in Idlib, Syria on July 16, 2019 (photo credit: WHITE HELMETS/SOCIAL MEDIA VIA REUTERS)
A motorbike burns after an airstrike in this screen grab taken from a social media video said to be taken in Idlib, Syria on July 16, 2019
(photo credit: WHITE HELMETS/SOCIAL MEDIA VIA REUTERS)
Russian patrols in Syria, jointly done with Turkey or sometimes with just Russian vehicles, keep running into controversy. A bomb allegedly targeted one patrol near Idlib, and others in eastern Syria have run into angry locals and have been interdicted by the US. It shows how Syria is a competition for the superpowers and how no one knows what may come next.
According to reports, there were tensions on June 2 when a Russian patrol wanted to enter some areas near Derik in eastern Syria. The Russians have been in eastern Syria since the US withdrew and Turkey began attacking Kurdish minorities. Turkish-backed extremists executed people and caused 200,000 to flee.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which are backed by the US, enabled a deal to protect the Kurds from further Turkish shelling while the Russians and Syrian regime would establish a ceasefire. The SDF still nominally controls much of eastern Syria. But an uneasy and bizarre peace reigns: Russia and Turkey do joint patrols in one area, while the US, supposedly a Turkish ally, patrols in another area. Turkey claims the SDF are terrorists, even though the SDF defeated ISIS.
Russia also ended up doing patrols in Idlib because the Russian-backed Syrian regime launched an offensive in February that clashed with Turkish troops in Idlib. Russia stepped in to enforce a ceasefire. Russia is a sort of referee in Syria. But like all referees, it can’t be all things to everyone. Kurds are disappointed Russia didn’t do more to support them, and Syrian rebels despise Russia for aiding the Assad regime. The US doesn’t like the Russians. Only Turkey and Russia seem to get along well.
After the June 2 incident near Derik, another incident developed on Thursday. Long lines of civilian cars were backed up as US and Russian soldiers squared off. Reports indicated the US stopped the Russians from entering Derik, and the Russians had to go back to Qamishli.
 Something else may be afoot. The Russians may be seeking to expand their presence and build a base near Qasir Dib, a village near Derik, according to Sirwan Kajjo of VOA news. The US may not want Russia expanding its footprint even more. The full details of what caused the standoff are still unclear.
Meanwhile, an explosion targeted a joint Russia-Turkey convoy near Idlib, North Press reported. The incident is along a stretch of M4 highway between Arihah and Kafr Shlaya near Idlib in northwest Syria. Meanwhile, Russian and Turkish soldiers carried out their 15th joint patrol near Idlib.
Russia may be pushing for more space in eastern Syria to challenge the US during the pandemic and protests that have affected Washington. In addition, Russia may be challenged in Idlib by Syrian rebel groups.
This long front line for the Russians has led to several different crises. Russia thrives on crises because it means all the countries in the region must work with Russia to solve them. In that sense, Russia wants to have its hands in numerous pots, from Syria to Libya.


Related Tags
Kurds