Syrian regime forces take over strategic Turkmen area

Syrian regime forces backed by Russian airstrikes have taken control of Kizildag, a strategic area in Syria's northwestern Turkmen town of Bayirbucak, Turkmen commanders said on Monday.
Bayirbucak is located in the northwestern Latakia province of Syria, bordering Turkey.

“In the last four days, regime forces bombed the Turkmen Dagi [where Kizildag is located] intensively with missiles from the air and the sea, and by tanks from the ground,” said Abu-Fadil, a Turkmen commander, speaking to Anadolu Agency.

“Aircraft belonging to Russia and Assad attacked the area non-stop. As of last night, Kizildag has been taken by the regime,” Fadil stated.

Turkmen are a Turkic ethnic group based largely in Syria and Iraq, where they live alongside large Arab and Kurdish populations. The Turkmen community, which includes both Sunni and Shia Muslims, shares close cultural ties with the Turkish people.

“It is a big danger for us that the regime forces took the control of this area. If we cannot get any support, life there and our military action will halt. We need urgent material which will be effective against tanks,” Fadil added.

Another Turkmen commander, Omer Abdullah, also made a military and logistic call:

“We want logistic support, not bread or water from the Islamic community. We need heavy weapons," Abdullah said, adding: "We will defend our land to the bitter end."

Tens of thousands of Turkmen have been recently displaced due to the regime attacks backed by Russian air strikes. Around 1,700 Syrian Turkmen have arrived in southern Turkey over the last three days.

Meanwhile, the Turkish Prime Ministry Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency, or AFAD, has established a coordination center at Yamadi camp in northwestern Latakia, to be able to better organize humanitarian aid to Turkmen families.

Sources: MENA