In general positive negotiations have increased between Syria and Turkey, and between Syria and Kurdish groups.Andrew Parasiliti (11 December 2019), "The Takeaway: December 11, 2019". On the ground, Turkish areas of operations had been delineated by Russian mediators. Russian military officials forged agreements between Syria, Turkey and Kurds for areas to be patrolled by each side."Russian forces in Syria, SDF discuss phase two in border security deal" , 7 December 2019, ahvalnews.com. Russia handles security through its own forces deployed in some key towns. On 9 December, Russian troops entered Raqqa and began distributing humanitarian aid.Russian forces enter former Islamic State stronghold in Syria:Russian troops in Raqqa were handing out humanitarian aid and its military doctors were offering residents medical attention. By Reuters 9 December 2019.Jared Szuba (10 December 2019), "Russian troops enter Syria's Raqqa, filling void of withdrawing US forces", The Defense Post.Seth J. Frantzman (9 December 2019), Russians near Raqqa two years after US helped take city from ISIS, The Jerusalem Post.Russian military police conduct patrol missions in three Syrian governorates. The Russian military policy carried out patrol missions in Syria's Aleppo, Raqqa and al-Hasakah governorates. 9 December 2019. TASS.
