Failure of Turkish-Russian Joint Patrols in Northeastern Syria

The Jusoor Center for Studies suggested that the joint “Turkish-Russian” patrols in northeastern Syria have failed to achieve their goal of halting the activities of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party against Turkey.

The center indicated in its report that the Kurdistan Workers’ Party has maintained its activity and presence in the patrol areas by employing various tactics, notably by relocating its bases and operations away from these routes and by altering the movements of its elements to avoid the patrols.

The center anticipated that the cessation of patrols is linked to precautionary security measures implemented by Turkey during periods of aerial escalation to avoid any retaliatory operations.

The report attributed the halt of joint patrols to several reasons, most notably Turkey’s “negative” assessment of their effectiveness, as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party continues its activity, particularly in border areas.

Additionally, the report attributed this to Turkey changing its mechanism for monitoring and tracking its activities, relying on intelligence surveillance teams or coordinating with local opposition groups to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces.

The report predicted that joint patrols in SDF-controlled areas would either permanently cease or undergo changes in their nature and current routes if resumed in the future, contingent upon Turkey’s enhanced coordination with Washington and Moscow.