U.S. and Turkish forces conduct second joint ground patrol inside northeast Syria.

Turkish and U.S. military forces provided security around their convoy before conducting the second joint ground patrol inside the security mechanism zone in northeast, Syria, Sept. 24, 2019.

Turkish BMC Kirpi APC (Picture source: U.S. Army / Staff Sgt. Andrew Goedl)

The patrol, involving Turkish-made BMC Kirpi APCs, allowed both armies to observe first-hand progress on destroyed YPG fortifications and areas where YPG elements voluntarily departed the area. The security mechanism is intended to address Turkey’s security concerns, maintain security in northeast Syria so ISIS cannot reemerge, and allow the Coalition to remain focused on achieving the enduring defeat of ISIS. The U.S. is currently executing concrete steps to ensure the border area in northeast Syria remains stable and secure.