Turkish and Russian troops have conducted their third joint military patrol in northeast Syria, while US special envoy to Syria James Jeffrey is discussing with the Turks in Ankara the Turkish operation in northern Syria.
In its Twitter account, the Turkish Defense Ministry announced the start of the third joint military patrol between the Turkish and Russian armies Friday morning in the area between the city of Qamishli and the city of Malikiyah east of the Euphrates, as part of the Sochi agreement signed between the two heads of state on the 22nd of last month.
The Interfax news agency reported that Moscow deployed military helicopters to carry out the patrol, and to protect the Russian military police operating on the ground.
The first joint ground patrol between the two countries had walked for four hours on the first of this month, 40 km east of the city of Ras al-Ain, and 30 km west of the city of Qamishli.
On the 5th of this month, the second patrol was conducted for two hours east of Ain al-Arab and west of Tal Abyad areas.
On the other hand, the US special envoy to Syria will arrive in Ankara today to meet Sadat Unal, Turkish Assistant Foreign Minister.
Talks between the two sides will focus on the latest developments in Syria, the Turkish military operation in northern Syria, the preparations for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the United States, as well as efforts to combat the Islamic State.
In his two-day visit, Geoffrey is also expected to meet Turkish defense officials and Syrian opposition figures.