Turkey deployed air defense systems near a Russian air base in Syria

By TOC On May 25, 2020

DAMASCUS, (BM) – The Turkish military deployed air defense systems in the area of the Russian air base in Syria, the Aviation.Pro publication reports with reference to satellite observation data posted on social networks, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.

According to the publication, satellite photographs appeared in social networks demonstrating the deployment of the MIM-23 air defense systems 80 kilometers from the Russian military base Khmeimim.

Theoretically, these complexes are capable of attacking Russian and other aircraft operating in the region, despite the fact that, according to official data, the effective range of the complex is 35 kilometers.

However, neither the Turkish nor the Russian military have yet confirmed the accuracy of this information.

In addition, the meaning of the deployment of air defense systems in the Khmeimim region remains unclear – the threat of Russian aviation in the region may lead to a new escalation of tension in relations between Turkey and Russia, which is hardly of interest to Ankara. On the other hand, the Turkish military may try to defend their extremist groups operating in Idlib in this way.

Background

In February, Turkey lost at least 62 troops killed in Syria, nearly 100 soldiers were wounded, dozens of Turkish armored vehicles were destroyed and more than ten drones, including drone, were shot down. Washington has repeatedly accused Moscow of involvement in the deaths of Turkish soldiers, Russia rejects these allegations.

In early March, the presidents of Russia and Turkey, Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, concluded an agreement according to which a ceasefire came into force in the Idlib de-escalation zone.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad later said that if the US and Turkish military did not leave the country, Damascus would be able to use force.

The reason for the Russian-Turkish negotiations was a sharp aggravation of the situation in Idlib, where in January a large-scale offensive by the Syrian army against the positions of the armed opposition and terrorists began.

Government forces recaptured nearly half of the Idlib de-escalation zone and left behind a number of Turkish observation posts. After that, Ankara sharply increased its military contingent in the region and launched the operation “Spring Shield” to push the Syrian troops. Turkey is also supported by militants loyal to it.

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BulgarianMilitary.com
Editorial team