Illustrative image, source: sdf-press.com
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) continue to make defensive perpetrations in anticipation for a new large-scale operation by the Turkish military and its proxies.
On July 13, the group redeployed several large units from Deir Ezzor and Raqqa to the town of Manbij in the northern Aleppo countryside. Dozens of trucks and armored vehicles loaded with hundreds of fighters were spotted heading towards the town.
Manbij is one of two towns named by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a speech in June as the main targets of any new military operation in Syria, with the other town being Tell Rifaat which is also located in the northern Aleppo countryside.
The SDF is not the only side preparing for a possible Turkish invasion. The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) has been also deploying reinforcements around Manbij and Tell Rifaat. Under a recent agreement, the SDF and the SAA established a joint operations room to coordinate against the Turkish military and its proxies.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@Suriyakmaps) on Twitter, Via Google Maps – TerraMetrics.
Click to see full-size map. Source: (@Suriyakmaps) on Twitter, Via Google Maps – TerraMetrics.
Turkey appears to be determined to go on with its military plans. In a recent speech Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the Turkish military is ready for a new operation in Syria and the order to start it can be given at any time. The minister stressed that Ankara will not cancel or postpone its military plans.
The Turkish military and its proxies have been preparing to launch a new operation against the SDF in northern Syria since May.
Both Russia and Iran are currently making diplomatic efforts to convince Turkey to abandon its military plans. Still, no progress has been made yet.
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