ontradictory Reports On Russian Deployment In Afrin

Kurdish sources denied the alleged withdrawal of Russian troops from Kafr Jannah Camp near Afrin in the northern Aleppo countryside.

The Kurdish politician, Rizan Haddo, said that Russian forces didn’t withdraw from the camp. According to Haddo, Russia, on the contrary, transferred additional forces to the camp on Friday. Haddo also denied the closure of the road between Aleppo and Afrin.

Local sources have already claimed that Russia additionally deployed 160 soldiers and armored vehicles carriers in Kafr Jannah. However, this seems not likely.

However, on the other side several opposition sources argued that Russian troops have already withdrawn from the camp and no additional troops have been deployed.

The only thing that can be confirmed so far is that the Aleppo-Afrin road is currently open. Moreover all reports about the Russian-YPG meeting are also false as the supposed photos of the meeting are old.

On the other side, several YPG officials announced that their forces are ready to defend Afrin against any possible Turkish attack.

Siban Hamo, YPG Leader, said they were not interested in any agreements between Turkey and other parties in northern Aleppo, and that the area between Azaz and Jarablus is a permanent goal of the YPG, which aims to liberate it.

On Friday, Turkey shelled YPG positions with artillery after YPG fighters attacked some of the Turkish border military positions. Tensions appear to be rising in the north of Aleppo, especially with the continued Turkish reinforcements to the area, indicating the seriousness of Turkey regarding the launch of a new military operation in northern Syria.

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