Russian forces deployed Tuesday in a two-story building in Amuda, in northeastern Syria, to “protect” Kurdish forces from the Turkish army by monitoring the deployment of Syrian regime forces along the border and the withdrawal of Syrian Democratic Forces 30 kilometers (19 miles) to the south.
Asharq Al-Awsat visited the Amuda city where residents expressed their concern over the Turkish forces. Some fear their presence after Ankara launched an attack on the towns of Tal Abyad and Ras al-Ain in mid-October, while others questioned Russia’s commitment in protecting the area.
One resident said: “We welcome the presence of Russian and Syrian regime forces if it aims to stop the Turkish aggression,” adding that any move that ends those threats and eliminates the traces of war serve the interest of civilians.
However, his neighbor, Saleh, questioned Moscow’s intentions.
“During the Afrin battle, Russia abandoned the Kurds after reaching an agreement with Turkey at the expense of the Syrian people,” he said.
A young resident, Siamand, expressed his worries about the deployment of Syrian regime forces in the city.
“I took part in the anti-regime protests. Like many residents here, we fear the return of the regime,” he added, revealing that Russia is currently working to assure that Damascus controls all of Syrian territories.
Suzana, a 27-year-old student at the Euphrates University in Hasaka, said many residents in Amuda are wanted by the regime and they are scared of even crossing through the regime security zones in the cities of Hasaka and Qamishli.
“Those residents are either wanted for military service or because of their anti-regime activities,” she stated, wondering what would happen to them if the regime assumed full control of the area.
The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
