The Turkish military has established a helicopter base south of the border town of Ras al-Ayn in northeast Syria, the Step News Agency reported on November 16.
According to the pro-opposition outlet, the base was established near the village of al-Hawas, located 25 km south of Ras al-Ayn’s town center in the northern al-Hasakah countryside.
“The land seized by the Turkish army forces is 120 dunums [120,000 m2],” said Yasir Hammoud, a reporter of Step, revealing that base was established on farmlands.
Officers and experts of the Turkish military are now working to fortify the new base. Cement fortifications and berms are reportedly being set around the base.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@Suriyakmaps) on Twitter.
Militants of the so-called Syrian National Army (SNA) captured Ras al-Ayn and its countryside from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) last month in the framework of the Turkish-led Operation Peace Spring.
The establishment of Turkish military installations in northeast Syria indicates that Ankara is planning a long-term occupation.
