The order given by Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Syria is set to alter the situation in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)-occupied Afrin, as the withdrawal of the 300 Russian troops deployed in the region signals that the Turkish Armed Forces’ operation in the area might commence any day now.
The planned Turkish-Iranian-Russian joint force project is said to be the reason behind Russia’s decision to withdraw its forces from Syria.
The soon-to-be-created joint army will provide peace and security in the regions of Hama, Homs, Aleppo, Latakia and Daraa.
In order to establish lasting peace, the planned 20,000-strong joint force is set to work on establishing a unified Syrian army and will oversee democratic elections and the clearing of all terrorist threats in Syria.
With bases spread across Syria in Homs, Tartous, Tadmur, Aleppo, Afrin and Latakia, Russia has close to 7,000 troops in the war-torn country.
The 7,000-strong Russian force in Syria boasts several notable units such as the Chechen Special Forces deployed by Chechen President Kadirov that are stationed in Aleppo, in addition to the Russian Turan Brigades deployed in Deir Ez-zor.
Russian currently has 7,000 troops, over 50 Russian fighter jets , at least 40 helicopters , 80 tanks, dozens of armored vehicles and hundreds of mortar artilleries and missiles deployed in Syria following its intervention to fight alongside the Assad regime between 2015- 2017.
Despite its decision to withdraw from Syria, Russian S-400 missiles are set to remain in the air bases of Tartous and Hmeimim.
Additionally, the S-300 missile platforms deployed in Damascus and used by the Assad regime will also remain in Syria.
At least 40 percent of the Russian forces currently in Syria is said to be slated for withdrawal.
A total of 300 Russian troops are stationed in the Russian bases established in Kafar Jannah, Matar Ziraa and Rajo in the Aleppo countryside city of Afrin; they are expected to be withdrawn following Putin’s decision on Monday to pull out all Russian troops from Syria.
The number of Russian troops in Afrin dropped from 800 to 300 after ties between Russia and Turkey were normalized following the crisis that erupted after the downing of a Russian jet in 2015.
Following the Russian withdrawal, the launch of Turkey’s Afrin operation, with a front that spans 170 kilometers across Matar, Minnigh, Tal Rifaat and Harbel, looms closer with every passing day.
