FILE IMAGE: middleeastmonitor.com
Turkey seeks to expand its military mission in Syria to two other areas: western Aleppo and Afrin, bringing its forces in a potential military confronation with the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
Ankara believes that this move would provide “a real environment of peace and safety” in the area. Turkey says that Kurdish militias, which are a core of the US-backed SDF, are linked to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) operating in Turkey and northern Iraq. Ankara designates the PKK a terrorist group.
“It’s been considered that the observation mission of the Turkish armed forces in the Idlib de-escalation zone is continuing successfully, and such a mission being performed near Western Aleppo and Afrin would provide a real environment of peace and safety,” the Turkish National Security Council said in a statement.
The Turkish military is involved in an “observation mission” in the militant-held part of the Syrian province of Idlib. Turkish troops are deployed there within the framework of the agreements reached in the Ankara format with Russia, Iran and Syria. The observation mission is aimed at reducing the fighting between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and militants operation in the province.
However, the things are not going well. An intense fighting is now ongoing between the SAA and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (formerly Jabhat al-Nusra, the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda) west of the Aleppo-Khanasser-Ithriyah highway.
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At the same time, no clashes have been reported between Turkish forces and Hayat Tahrir al-Sham near the Turkish observation posts in the province of Idlib. This allows to suggest two points:
- Ankara has found a common ground with the terrorist group in the provicne of Idlib;
- Ankara cannot or don’t want to stop Hayat Tahrir al-Sham units attacking the Syrian Army.
They talk about how Turkey is now an ally to Russia and Iran, but with allies like Erdogan, who needs enemies? He’s doing fuck all against Al Qaida in Idlib, he’s doing fuck all against the SDF in East Syria, he seems only interested in grabbing more land in Idlib and Aleppo provinces, and against the only group of Kurds who are not a problem. Probably because he thinks those are the only ones he can get away with.
Overestimated to use the word allied. More like agree in things like that and a few more and no more´then that.
I agree. And if I were Putin or Rouhani I’d check for my wallet every time I met Erdogan.
Turkey is positioning itself to attack SDF. Once, and if, taken, it will become part of Azaz colony.
SAA fight THS . Turkey fight Kurds
In the end SAA face Turkey and then under agreement Turkey withdraw with assurance Kurds do not have autonomy
That will be the way it will play out And US? Has no excuse but withdraw or to look stupid.
Putin’s plan.
Unless the Turks move against the SDF main body in East Syria I don’t see this happening. And I doubt the Turks will move against the SDF in East Syria, as that will bring them into conflict with the US.
Turkey’s sole sim is to weaken the Kurds and if in East Syria they do not withdraw , Assad’s forces would surely take on the Kurds there. US has no relevance there to go against Russians, Iran , Hez and SAA.
The afrin side , Turkey will take care.
Assad will only take on SDF with approval and support of Russian, wich it will not give as long as US covers the SDF.
Of course and it shall be given. It is Russia that is calling the shots not US .
Remember US warned SAA not to cross to the Euphrates river? Russia supplied the pontoon bridges as and crossed . US did nothing.
Now if it is to solve the Kurds taking so much Syrian land, you think Russia will not provide air cover especially Russia has asked US to get out already as they are there illegally.
Just watch all the oil fields etc will go back to Assad …and Turkey is ever willing to help Assad.
If Kurds issue not solved, there cannot be a United Syria and that is the agreed goal of Russia, Iran, Turkey and Syria itself.
US has no ground nor able to oppose that
US will not stop joint economic blockade, including all roads, by Syria, Iraq and Turkey, though. Or covert insurgency by the non-kurds in your region. Also Erdogan said that Turkey will eventually take Manbij, not only Afrin.
I reckon so.
First, Erdogan attacks Syria which led to SDF. Then, he wants to attack SDF with Assad help. XD.
Sunnis are so pathetics.
Kind of far out. PYD and look a likes already was there. The rise of ISIS was not a Turkish event alone.
” Turkey to provide peace and safety” ? ✋? get outta here ?
The NATO invasion and partitioning of Syria continues. But it’s all OK because the Saudi Wahhabi Caliphate vows to stomp out extremism in all the places they created it. Full-spectrum total peace is just around the corner – I can almost smell it.
Everyone assumes that the kurds will just let them walk into their area without a fight. They want this fight, they are destined for this fight. If it happens the fight will move into turkey and it will be a matter of time for the turkish government to collapse.