A military convoy of Turkish Armed Forces entered the city of Tell Abyad in the north of Raqqa governorate. The reinforcement is taking place amid the ongoing rumors about Ankara’s preparation to large-scale operation against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
The Turkish convoy of armored vehicles left the Turkish town of Akçakale, which is located on the border with Syria, in early hours on October 26 and entered Syria.
Turkish M60 Sabra tanks and ACV-15 armored vehicles were spotted mounted on tractors in the convoy.
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A modernized M-60T (Sabra Mk. II) on maneuvers.
Meanwhile, tensions between the Kurdish and Turkish-backed forces remain.
Artillery of Turkish-backed forces continues shelling of SDF positions near Tal Tamar.
Despite any local opposition, and a wave of civilian protests in Tel Rifaat against Turkish military actions, on October 25, clashes between YPG and Turkish-backed forces were reported north of the town.
The SAA deployed reinforcements in Northeastern Syria in order to deter the operation, or at least to provide an adequate defensive posture.
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Another convoy of the Turkish Armed Forces carrying military equipment and concrete blocks reportedly crossed the Kafr-Lusin border crossing and headed forward in Syria’s Idlib governorate.
Over the last few weeks, the Turkish military deployed large reinforcements and established two new positions in Greater Idlib. The region is under control of Turkish-backed militants, and they frequently violate a ceasefire agreed between Moscow and Ankara back in 2020.
In order to remove the obstacles to its military operations, the Turkish parliament approved the government’s request to extend the Armed Forces’ mandate in Syria and Iraq for two years.
In accordance with the mandate, which was approved by the vote on October 26, the Turkish Army can carry out combat operations beyond its national borders in Syria and Iraq. It also has free hands to deploy its military contingents and establish military bases abroad.
