FILE PHOTO: Turkish soldiers seen at the border town of Akcakale © Reuters / Murad Sezer
Turkey is fully prepared for a new military operation in Syria and could launch it at any time, said Ibrahim Kalin, Turkish Presidential Spokesman, during an interview with Haberturk TV on June 26.
The Turkish military and its proxies have been preparing for the operation, which will target the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), since May.
Kalin told Haberturk TV that Turkey has already conducted three large-scale military operations in Syria without waiting for permission from anyone.
“Our President said that the operation could start at any time,” the spokesman said. “An assessment was made there and everything necessary was done”.
The senior diplomat went on to claim that Turkey will not take any steps against the territorial integrity of Syria during the operation.
In a recent speech, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan revealed that the main targets of the operation will be the towns of Tell Rifaat and Manbij in the northern countryside of Aleppo. The two towns are held by the SDF. However, the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and Russian forces are also present there. Due to this, any military move by Ankara in this area without the permission of Damascus and Moscow could lead to a military confrontation.
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.
The SDF and the SAA has been making defensive preparations in Manbij and Tell Rifaat as well as in other parts of northern and northeastern Syria for several weeks now. Russian forces have also taken several measures to deter the Turkish military and its proxies.
Turkey appears to be determined to go on with its military plans because it believe that the ongoing conflict in Ukraine will keep Russia busy. The conflict has also forced the US, the main backer of the SDF, to soften its stand on Turkey when it comes to Syria.
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