Turkey has handed over 18 regime forces seized in Syria’s Rasulayn city to Russia, the Ministry of National Defense said early Friday.

"18 regime elements seized during the search/detection/reconnaissance/security activities in the southeast of Rasulayn on Oct. 29 were handed over as a result of the coordination with the authorities of the Russian Federation," the ministry said in a post on Twitter.

"Operation Peace Spring" was launched by Turkey on Oct. 9 to remove YPG/PKK members from northern Syria in order to establish a safe zone for Syrian return in the area east of the Euphrates River. (ILKHA)