ALEPPO, Syria — The Syrian government forces and their affiliated militias are still deploying military reinforcements in Tel Rifaat, which is under the control of the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG), in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The buildup comes in anticipation of a potential military offensive waged by the Turkish army and its allied Free Syrian Army (FSA) factions in the area.
A video recording released Oct. 19 by the Russian RusVesna.SU news website showed military troops and equipment stationed temporarily in al-Jabbul area in southeastern Aleppo. The video also showed T-90 battle tanks and BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles carrying the Syrian government flag.