U.S. troops block Russian vehicles from reaching Semalka border crossing with Kurdistan region

ARK News.. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitored a new incident of the ongoing skirmish between Americans and Russians troops in Syria.

SOHR said that U.S. forces intercepted on Tuesday Russian military vehicles at the village of Girke Lage east of Qamishlo, preventing them from passing from the area after Russian forces tried again to reach Derik and Semalka border crossing with Kurdistan region.

The Syrian Observatory added that a new stand-off between U.S. forces and their Russian counterpart in northeastern Syria, where three Russian helicopters flew over Tall Tamer city, while U.S. helicopters took off from “Qasrouk” base to keep their Russian counterpart away from the area, following them until they reached Ras al-Ain airspace in rural Hasaka.

Similarly, Russian vehicles encircled American checkpoint consisting of ten vehicles, which were stationed to prevent Russian patrols from roaming the M4. Russian vehicles then took off-road and crossed the U.S. checkpoint, smoke signals were sent by American helicopters as warning signs for Russian vehicles before returning.

On January 29, Syrian Observatory said that a column of Russian forces set off from Tal Tamr city heading towards al-Hasakah, before being intercepted by an American patrol that was waiting for it at al-Wazir area which is hosting a US base, and prevented it from continuing towards Hasaka.

Verbal altercations took place between both forces and evolved into raising weapons, but the Syrian Democratic Forces intervened as a mediator between them.

SOHR also said that a Russian column headed to al-Kharita village, located in Hasaka road, heading towards Jabal Qazuzana.

The Russian column was intercepted by US Forces which forced the column to get out of the village.

The Observatory said that the Russians came to the village to set up a military base in one of the schools.

Recently, the area had been a scene of heightened tension and daily skirmishes between both sides. Also the U.S. forces prevented movements of Russian patrols in several areas.

Reliable sources informed the Syrian Observatory that U.S. forces were deployed at the entrances and exits of the strategic town of Tal Tamr which is a link between Hasaka – Qamishlo – Aleppo. They were also deployed at the entrance of Zarkan and the junction in Ghabish village, and ran many patrols on Aleppo – Hasakah highway known as “M4”.

These actions come as a part of the U.S. attempts to undermine the Russian role in NE Syria, and prevent the Russians from using the M4 highway in the area, except when heading to the border areas with Turkey.

Source: SOHR

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