US, Russia Build up Reinforcements in Northeast Syria

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and US troops are seen during a patrol near the Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria, in November. (photo credit: RODI SAID / REUTERS)
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and US troops are seen during a patrol near the Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria, in November. (photo credit: RODI SAID / REUTERS)
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US, Russia Build up Reinforcements in Northeast Syria

Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and US troops are seen during a patrol near the Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria, in November. (photo credit: RODI SAID / REUTERS)
Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and US troops are seen during a patrol near the Turkish border in Hasakah, Syria, in November. (photo credit: RODI SAID / REUTERS)

Three Russian military convoys arrived in northeastern Syria, only days after similar reinforcements were deployed in the area by the US-led International Coalition.

Informed sources and locals said that 13 trucks loaded with materials and logistical equipment, five armored vehicles, large boxes loaded with ammunition and medium and heavy weapons had arrived at Qamishli Airport, which the Russian forces operate as their main base in Hasakah.

The military reinforcements departed from the Russian-run Hmeimim airbase near the Tartus port. They were transported via the international M4 highway with helicopter protection.

Sources confirmed that two planes had also landed at Qamishli Airport.

At the same time, a military tanker carrying Russian police soldiers arrived at its base in the Talat al-Badaa area, west of the city of Ayn al-Arab (Kobani).

Eight trucks carrying logistical materials, weapons and ammunition arrived at Tabqa military airport in the western countryside of Raqqa.

Russian fortifications coincided with the US-led International Coalition also deploying back up at outposts east of the Euphrates. Since the beginning of March, three military convoys and arms shipments had arrived at Coalition positions in Hasakah and the eastern countryside of Deir Ez-Zor.

Russian forces and their Turkish counterparts conducted a new joint patrol along Syria’s southern border strip with Turkey. The patrol was coupled with Russian helicopters scaling the region’s skies.

This patrol came 48 hours after a similar patrol was conducted in the countryside of Kobani, with two Russian helicopters flying over.

Coalition forces and US soldiers, with the participation of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), conducted a regular patrol in the Qarachokh oil-rich area in the countryside of Al-Malikiyah.

The patrol consisted of five combat vehicles, three Bradley tanks and 2 armored vehicles.

The soldiers were keen to stand with the residents of the area, salute and exchange conversations with the help of translators. This patrol came three days after conducting a similar patrol in the southern countryside of al-Darbasiyah.



Hemedti Admits Forces Withdrew from Sudan Capital

A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
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Hemedti Admits Forces Withdrew from Sudan Capital

A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows burnt vehicles in a southern neighbourhood of Khartoum on March 29, 2025, after the military recaptured the capital. (Photo by AFP)

The head of the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces admitted in a speech to fighters on Sunday that the group had withdrawn from the capital but pledged the RSF would return stronger to Khartoum.

"I confirm to you that we have indeed left Khartoum, but... we will return with even stronger determination," Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo said in the speech, three days after the group said there would be "no retreat.”

It was Dagalo's first comment since the RSF were pushed back from most parts of Khartoum by the Sudanese army during a devastating war that has lasted two years.

Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, conceded in an audio message on Telegram that his forces left the capital last week as the army consolidated its gains.

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan ruled out any reconciliation with the RSF in a video statement on Saturday in which he vowed to crush the group.

"We will neither forgive, nor compromise, nor negotiate," he said, reaffirming the military's commitment to restoring national unity and stability.

Earlier on Saturday, the army said it had taken control of a major market in Khartoum's twin city of Omdurman, which had previously been used by the RSF to launch attacks during a devastating two-year-old war.

Burhan also said fighters who "repent to the truth" could still be amnestied if they lay down their arms, particularly those who are in rebel-held areas.