Russian military police wounded near Kobani, Syria

The three Russians received light injuries and the vehicle was damaged.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN
Turkish and Russian military vehicles return following a joint patrol in northeast Syria, as they are pictured near the Turkish border town of Kiziltepe in Mardin province, Turkey, November 1, 2019 (photo credit: REUTERS/KEMAL ASLAN)
Turkish and Russian military vehicles return following a joint patrol in northeast Syria, as they are pictured near the Turkish border town of Kiziltepe in Mardin province, Turkey, November 1, 2019
(photo credit: REUTERS/KEMAL ASLAN)
Three Russian military police were wounded in Syria when an improvised explosive device exploded near their convoy. Russia’s TASS reported that the vehicles were near the village of Koran somewhere near Kobani in northern Syria.
The three Russians were slightly injured and the vehicle was damaged. The vehicle was to be part of a joint patrol with Turkey. Since October 22, Russia and Turkey have carried out joint patrols in Syria. Russia and Turkey signed a ceasefire agreement, and Turkey is supposed to pause its operations in Syria. Turkey had carried out an invasion after US forces left a part of northern Syria and Turkey attacked the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces.
Today the SDF have been in discussions with Russia and are also working with the US. SDF commander Mazlum Abdi said that it was an honor to meet the commander of Russian forces General Alexander Chaiko on Sunday. Russia will play a role in two towns, Ayn Issa and Tel Temr, where there has been recent fighting. Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov also warned on Friday that the US presence at oil facilities near Rumeilan in Syria could strain tensions.
Russia is playing an increased role in the region. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a defense conference on Monday that the Russian navy has an increased potential for a role in the region. Russia has carried out 111 voyages in different operations with 70 surface ships. Russia also put a battalion of S-300PM2 systems on “combat alert,” according to a Russian statement on Monday.
Overall, Russia is seeking to show off its military potential, discussing new defense deals, missile technology and a plethora of other successes. Russia’s role in Syria is key to this, as are Russian outreach to Africa and other states in the Middle East.
The wounding of military police in northern Syria is a rare occurrence, but as Russia plays a role in more places, its forces are exposed to many threats. Northern Syria has so many armed groups, including the SDF and Syrian regime forces and Turkish-backed Syrian mercenaries, that it is a complex environment. There have been other mysterious bombings recently in northern Syria, which locals blame on different groups.