Russian forces conduct first patrol in northern Syria Peace Spring

Russian military police carried out their first patrol in northern Syria under a deal between Ankara and Moscow to ensure that YPG terrorists withdraw from a planned safe zone in the region.

"In accordance with the memorandum of the deal that was signed between Turkey and Russia in Sochi on October 22, today, Russian military police patrolled the designated route in northern Syria for the first time," Russia’s defence ministry said in a statement.

Ankara and Moscow had earlier this week, reached a deal under which YPG/PKK terrorists will pull back 30 kilometres from Turkey’s border with northern Syria within 150 hours and security forces from Turkey and Russia will conduct joint patrols there.

Russia, regime ramp up bombardment in Idlib

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Russia and the Syrian regime have stepped up attacks on and around Idlib.It said that aerial bombardment was carried out by Russian warplanes targeting the outskirts of Kafr Sajna town in the southern countryside of Idlib.

The Britain-based war monitor also monitored helicopters returning to drop barrel bombs on Kabani area in Latakia countryside, as well as Russian warplanes bombarding Kafrsajna and Tal al Nar in the southern countryside of Idlib, and Kabani area in the northern countryside of Latakia.It added that regime forces had shelled the villages and towns of Khan Tuman, al Hmira and Khalsa in the southern countryside of Aleppo with tens of artillery shells, and at the same time an unknown warplane flew over the northern border of Idlib.

Trump announces Turkey sanctions 'will be lifted'

US President Donald Trump ordered sanctions on two Turkish ministries and three Turkish ministers be lifted on Wednesday following what he said was Turkey's vow to halt its operation in northeast Syria.Trump said the Turkish government informed his administration earlier Wednesday morning "that they would be stopping combat and their offensive in Syria, and making the ceasefire permanent.""However you would define the word ‘permanent’ in that part of the world as somewhat questionable," Trump said in the White House's Diplomatic Reception Room. "The sanctions will be lifted unless something happens that we’re not happy with.”"Today's announcement validates our course of action with Turkey," he added.

'Turkey's efforts prevented terror state in northern Syria'

Turkey’s anti-terror efforts in Syria defeated the establishment of a terror state in the war-weary country, Turkey's foreign minister told Anadolu Agency.He went on to describe Operation Peace Spring as a "milestone in Syria's future" and emphasised that the agreements reached with the US and Russia constituted the "world's two biggest powers accept[ing] legitimacy of Turkey's Operation Peace Spring in northern Syria."

The deal between Ankara and Moscow will push YPG/PKK terrorists 30 km south of Turkey's border with Syria.

Expanding operation not necessary – Turkish defence ministry

Turkey said there is no further need at this stage to expand military action outside the Operation Peace Spring areas in northern Syria."Turkey will never let a terror corridor be established to the south of its borders and our resolute fight against terrorism will continue," the defence ministry said in a written statement.

The statement underlined that at the end of a 120-hour pause, the US reported the withdrawal of YPG/PKK from a designated safe zone region was completed.

Turkey-Russia deal on Syria

Ankara and Moscow agreed on "historic" Syria deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced after meeting with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

According to the deal, starting 0900GMT on October 23, Russian military police and Syrian border guards will enter the Syrian side of the Turkish-Syrian border, outside the area of Operation Peace Spring to facilitate the removal of YPG/PKK elements and their weapons 30 kilometres off Turkey’s border in northern Syria, which should be finalised in 150 hours."All YPG elements and their weapons will be removed from Manbij and Tal Rifat [northern Syrian district]," according to the deal.

Turkey and Russia will launch joint efforts to facilitate to return of refugees in a "safe and voluntary" manner."A joint monitoring and verification mechanism will be established to oversee and coordinate the implementation of this memorandum," it added.Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, following the announcement, shared the details of the deal in a tweet.Turkey's Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also welcomed the historic deal and said that "today’s agreement between Turkey and Russia marks the beginning of a new era in our bilateral relations. This is a great day for civilised nations fighting against terrorist groups. Syria’s territorial integrity and political unity are key to a stable future in the region".