Hundreds of Syrian rebels and civilians are being sent by Turkey to Azerbaijan to guard Turkish troops and strategic assets, with suspicions that they may soon find themselves in the current Nagorno-Karabakh clashes, Middle East Eye has learnt.
A source based in Turkey with direct knowledge said that private contractors have been hiring Syrians for work in Azerbaijan since last month. All of the sources contacted by MEE spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject.
“They have gathered individuals, some civilians and former fighters, to train them as security guards with a monthly payment of $600. The first group who completed its training has been already dispatched,” the source said. A Syrian activist in Idlib province confirmed that, saying the first batch contained 300 fighters and two more groups were ready to be deployed.
‘They have gathered individuals, some civilians and former fighters, to train them as security guards with a monthly payment of $600. The first group who completed its training has been already dispatched’
– Turkish-based source
Rebels are mainly exiting through the Kilis border crossing, where Turkey has established a military base in the Aleppo countryside. From there, the fighters enter Turkish territory, where they sign contracts with private security companies.
According to the Turkey-based source, Ankara can absolve itself from legal repercussions by employing Syrians via private contractors, as the government can only deploy troops with parliamentary authorisation.
“I don’t think they will be deployed to the front because there are civilians among them who didn’t get combat training. They only got the training for security guard. They have been sent to Azerbaijan well before the latest tensions,” the source said.
However, sources in Syria said rebels were signing up with the full expectation to fight.
Heavy fighting broke out between Azerbaijan and Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed mountainous area, on Sunday and clashes are ongoing. Scores have been killed on both sides…
Continue Reading