Russian armoured vehicles flying Kurdish YPG and YPJ flags were pictured patrolling in Efrin canton in northern Syria on March 22, after a Turkish soldier was killed by gunfire overnight.
Russian armoured vehicles in Efrîn canton with YPG and YPJ flags. pic.twitter.com/vR9aNV47Cr
— Dr Partizan (@Dr_Partizan) March 22, 2017
This comes only days after we geo-located Russian military vehicles in Kafr Jana on March 20. The Russian defense ministry said it was opening a branch of the Russian Centre for Reconciliation of Opposing Sides, but the YPG said Russia was establishing a military base.
#BREAKING
Russian armored vehicles w #Russia #YPG flags, heading to #Efrîn border towns, were being heavily shelled by Turkish military now pic.twitter.com/ml1D0qFcLr— Jack Shahine (@jackshahine) March 22, 2017
القوات الروسية ترفع علم وحدات الحماية #YPG في #عفرين وتتدخل لوقف القصف التركي الذي يستهدف عرقلة معركة #الرقة حيث يسعى اردوغان لحماية دواعشه pic.twitter.com/GYEjUkllHr
— Mustafa Abdi (@mustefaebdi) March 22, 2017
YPG claims Turkey bombarded Efrin
“Turkey this morning bombarded the Efrin region. 10 wounded. Our forces responded in defense,” YPG spokesperson Rêdûr Xelîl said.
Dewleta tirkyê ji vê sibê ve herêma Efrînê topbaran dike.Zêdey10 birîndara heye.Bersiv dayîna hêzên me di çerçoveya xwe parastinê de pêk tê.
— Rêdûr Xelîl (@RedurXelil) March 22, 2017
Xelîl said several villages near the border with Turkey were shelled by the Turkish army, Kurdistan24 reported.
The YPG posted a video it claims shows the results of Turkish shelling of Efrin canton on March 21.
Turkish soldier killed
Overnight, a Turkish soldier in the Reyhanlı district of Hatay was killed by gunshots from Syria, Hurriyet Daily News reported.
Turkish General Staff said the gunfire came from a region administered by the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in Syria and the Turkish military responded, according to Hurriyet.
Infantry private Hüseyin Koroç was wounded while on guard duty at Bükülmez military station at around 8:45 am. He was taken to Reyhanlı State Hospital where he later died.
