Turkish-backed militants loot shops after seizing control of Afrin on March 18, 2018. (Photo by AFP)
On December 14, a commander in the Free Syrian Army (FSA) told the Syrian news outlet Enab Baladi that Turkish-backed groups have submitted the names of its fighters who will participate in the upcoming Turkish attack against US-backed forces in northeastern Syria.
“The factions are on high alert and we began to submit the names of fighters who will supposedly participate in the military operation,” the pro-opposition news outlet quoted the commander as saying.
Furthermore, the unnamed commander revealed that the Turkish military and several FSA groups are conducting reconnaissance operations along Turkey’s border with the Syrian area held by the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Local sources confirmed the commander’s claims and said Turkish warplanes are also carrying out reconnaissance sorties over the area.
A recent report claimed that more than 15,000 Turkish-backed fighters will participate in the upcoming attack, which was first confirmed by Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan few days ago. The attack will reportedly target the SDF-held cities of Tell Abyad, Manbij and Ras al-Ayn.
A spokesman of the Pentagon had warned from any unilateral military action into northeast Syria. However, the U.S. appears to be unwilling to take any direct action to prevent Turkey and its proxies from attacking the SDF.
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