Turkey is in talks with Russia to hand over 18 people believed to be members of the Syrian government forces who were captured near the northern Syrian town of Ras Al Ain, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Thursday, according to Reuters.
Turkey’s Defense Ministry said on Tuesday that 18 people had been captured near Ras al Ain, which Turkey targeted in its offensive, and added that the issue was being coordinated with Russian officials.
Earlier on Tuesday Turkey-backed Syrian rebels said they had arrested an undisclosed number of Syrian army soldiers near Tel Hawa, in the Ras al Ain countryside.
On Oct. 9 Turkey launched an offensive against Kurdish militia in northeastern Syria. The operation was halted after the government struck a deal with Russia.