The Syrian Free Army’s (FSA) Police announced that its special forces unit had received armored vehicles from Turkey.
Turkey formed “Police and Public Security Forces” after capturing of Al-Bab city in Aleppo province. The main task of these police forces is to secure the Euphrates Shield-held areas in the northern Aleppo countryside, according to the Turkish authorities.
Official photos show that the Police and Public Security Forces have received 14 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles. 12 of which are with turrets armed with 40 mm Mk 19 grenade launcher, and 50 caliber M2HB machinegun. Two othes are modified for “Riot Control” tasks.
The Turkish Army does not have M1117 armored vehicles, which means that Turkey may have obtained these armored vehicles directly from the United States to arm the FSA Police. The Police and Public Security Forces also received a number of motorcycles.
Since its formation, the Police and Public Security Forces have not been able to impose order and law in the Euphrates Shield area. The region is witnessing terrorist attacks, assassinations, and ongoing clashes among different FSA groups, gangs and tribes. Turkey is believed to be working to improve the capabilities of the FSA Police to meet these challenges.
