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Turkey’s proxies in Syria had established a joint operations room to coordinate an upcoming offensive on the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), the New Arab reported on June 12 citing sources in the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA).
According to the London-based newspaper, all SNA factions placed their militants on high alert and are now awaiting Turkish orders.
The Turkish military and its proxies, mainly represented by the SNA, has been preparing for a new operation against the SDF since May. In a recent speech, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the main targets of the operation will be the towns of Tell Rifaat and Manbij in the northern countryside of Syria’s Aleppo.
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.
SNA sources told the New Arab that the first phase of the upcoming operation will target Tell Rifaat and 40 nearby villages.
While the newspaper sources speculated that the operation will began in around a week, Turkish media sources have been claiming that military actions will start within just 72 hours.
The Syrian Arab Army (SAA) maintains presence in Tell Rifaat and Manbij. In the last few weeks, the army deployed large reinforcements, including heavy weapons, near the two towns. Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hinted in a recent interview that the army could intervene in support of the SDF, despite criticizing the group.
Russia, who fears that a new Turkish operation against the SDF could worsen the humanitarian situation in Syria, has been also taking measures to deter Ankara. These measures included the deployment of fighter jets, attack helicopters and air defense systems in some SDF-held areas.
Despite the threat of a serious confrontation with the SAA, which is backed by both Russia and Iran, Turkey appears to be determined to go on with its military plans in Syria.
- Turkish Army Intervenes To End Clashes Among Its Proxies In Syria’s Aleppo
- Turkish Forces Destroy Key Kurdish Post In Syria’s Manbij With Guided Missile (Video)
