Russia deploys Iran-backed Shiite troops to Afrin

Having continuously bombed Turkmen villages since October, Russia is now deploying hired Iran-backed Shiite soldiers to Afrin with the aim of uniting it with cantons under the control of the PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD), a Turkish daily reported.

Such a move poses a grave threat to Ankara and it has repeatedly warned the PYD and Russia against the move, saying, "It is our red line." Russia has been delivering arms to Afrin for the last 20 days. With the deployment of thousands of Iran-backed troops by Russia, alarm bells have started to ring. Ankara's red line, namely a possible unification of PYD cantons with Afrin that would spoil its safe haven plan for refugees, will reportedly not allow the Russians to realize its plans.

With Ankara planning to create a safe haven for refugees between Azaz and Jarabulus, a joint plan by Russia, Bashar Assad, the PYD and Iran appears to be proving a tremendous obstacle. Should the joint plan succeed, Turkey will not have a border with Syria but will have one with the PYD. It remains a question whether Ankara's repeated warnings and "red line" statements will lead to a war in the region.

Following reports of Russia launching airstrikes to support the People's Protection Units (YPG) offensive against groups in Azaz, it seems that Russia wants to continue playing the YPG card even after the downed jet crisis with Turkey. The YPG wants to expand its territory in northern Syria, especially toward the Azaz region near the Turkish border.

Russian armor delivery went to a YPG camp where fighters are trained and then brought to battlefields in Aleppo, Kobani and Qamishlo. Veteran soldiers from the PKK's Qandil headquarters also help run training programs.

The YPG has made reinforcements in Kobani and Tal Abyad in recent days, and PYD officials are in constant contact with Moscow.