Syrian government forces deploy in response to Turkish threat
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s forces are sending military reinforcements to Tel Rifaat to confront any possible military operation that the Turkish army and the Turkish-backed Free Syria Army may launch.
ALEPPO, Syria — The Syrian government forces and their affiliated militias are still deploying military reinforcements in Tel Rifaat, which is under the control of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The buildup comes in anticipation of a potential military offensive waged by the Turkish army and its allied Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in the area.
A video recording released Oct. 19 by the Russian RusVesna.SU news website showed military troops and equipment stationed temporarily in al-Jabbul area in southeastern Aleppo. The video also showed T-90 battle tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles carrying the Syrian government flag.
According to the website, the Syrian government forces have recently conducted combat readiness tests and dispatched army units to Tel Rifaat and Manbij in northern Syria.
Another video recording published Oct. 17 by the same website showed the regime forces carrying out reconnaissance activities on the frontlines along the areas that the Turkish army and the FSA captured during operations Olive Branch and Euphrates Shield in the countryside of Aleppo.
