Turkish army vehicles and military personnel are seen near the Turkish-Syrian border on October 12, 2019. IMAGE: Reuters / Murad Sezer
The Turkish military is deploying fresh troops in newly-occupied areas in northeast Syria to solidify its presence there, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported on November 3.
According to the state-run agency, the Turkish reinforcements were deployed in the countryside of the border town of Ras al-Ayn in northern al-Hasakah.
“Turkish occupation forces deployed military reinforcements in Syria territory from the axis of the villages of Jan Tamr and al-Metula in countryside of Ras al-Ayn and established fortifications in the areas they occupied,” the SANA’s report reads.
Syrian militants backed by the Turkish military imposed control of Ras al-Ayn last month following a fierce battle with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The attack on the town was carried out in the framework of Operation Peace Spring.
SDF units and troops of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) are still present in the southern and eastern countryside of Ras al-Ayn. These joint forces repelled several attacks by Turkish-backed militants in the last few days.
Given the manner in which the US is trying to salvage their position in northern Syria, I am seeing these heavy weapons deployments by Turkey in a whole new light. It is possible not meant towards Syria and Co. but, meant for the Kurds as a don’t even think about get cozy again with the US DoD. My take at the moment.