Russia sets up first helicopter base in north-eastern Syria: Reports

The Russian military has started setting up a helicopter base at a civilian airport in north-eastern Syria. The Russian Defense Ministry's channel broadcasted the clip of helicopter gunships arriving in Syria on November 14. With more two follow, the new Russian base is protected by Pantsir surface-to-air missile systems and has deployed three helicopters, which reportedly includes two Mi-35 gunships and one Mi-8 military transport helicopter. The footage on the channel also showed members of the Russian military protecting the new base along with armoured vehicles as well as ground support crews. 

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First group of Russian helicopters in Syria

Reportedly, this is also the first Russian base of helicopters in northeastern Syria and is also called a 'historic moment'. After the base becomes functional, the Russian aviation group will operate permanently from the city's civilian airport. This development by Russia comes after less than 30 days after the United States ordered the retraction of its troops from the northeastern Syrian border ahead of the Turkish military offensive in Syria. President Donald Trump ordered an abrupt change in foreign policy which was also criticised by the senior US officials as a 'betrayal' of the Kurdish forces. Russia has initially used their military helicopters to patrol an area near Syria near the Turkish border in order to protect the military forces on the ground. 

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Patrols to monitor the agreement

The patrols carried out by the Turkish forces in northeastern Syria are designed to monitor the agreement which was signed between Russia and Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Russsian President Vladimir Putin agreed to jointly push back the Kurdish Troops from Syria on Tuesday after marathon talks in Russia. Talks between the two leaders were held at the Black Sea resort town of Sochi. Talks came before a five-day ceasefire between Turkish troops and Kurdish fighters in northeastern Syria was set to expire.  

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(With inputs from agencies)