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As Turkey’s upcoming operation east of the Euphrates to eradicate the area of terrorists looms, more details regarding Ankara’s third cross-border operation in Syria continue to emerge.
A force of approximately 24,000, comprised of Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters are set to take part in the operation.
On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that operation could begin "at any moment", asserting that Turkey would never allow a “terror corridor” to be set up along its border.
The first phase of the operation, whose aim is to clear terrorists from ten different garrisons, is set to be completed within two months.
Second Brigade Commander General İsmail Metin, who oversaw Operation Olive Branch in Afrin, will be first in command in Turkey’s upcoming operation.
The spokesman for the U.S.-led anti-Daesh coalition apologized Monday after posting a tweet critical of Turkey's military from an account believed to be sympathetic to the PKK terror group."In my official capacity, I accidentally shared content that was insulting to our Coalition partner Turkey, a key partner in the mission to defeat ISIS. I meant no disrespect," Col. Sean Ryan wrote on Twitter, referring to Daesh."We have a duty to mutual security, and we are committed to defeating ISIS. Please accept my apology."Ryan was referring to a since-deleted retweet of a post classifying as "terrorist" Turkish armed forces."US Special Forces (Green Berets) patrolling the Rojava-Turkey border after terrorist Turkish army snipers targeted Rojavan civilians, killing a little girl walking home from school," the tweet said, accompanied by a photograph of U.S. military personnel and children.The U.S. has been working alongside the YPG-PKK in Syria in its effort to eliminate Daesh from the region.Turkey views the YPG as the Syrian extension of the PKK, a designated terrorist group in Turkey, the EU and the U.S.US Syria envoy says America's support for SDF not long-term‘Turkey would back UN plan for new Syrian constitution’
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Tunnels to be targeted first
The first target of the operation will be tunnels belonging to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)’s Syria affiliate, the PYD, which were booby-trapped with the help of U.S. military officials.
Hundreds of tunnels were dug by the PKK/PYD so close to the border in the towns and cities of Tal Abyad, Ras al-Ayn, Ayn al-Arab, Derbasiyeh and Malikiyyeh.
Recon flights, infiltration and battlefront identification missions will destroy the booby-trapped tunnels as pre-designated targets will come under intense ground and aerial fire to pave the way for boots on the ground.
Resulting craters from the destroyed tunnels is expected to force the TAF to use mobile bridges to continue deploying armored vehicles across the border.
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria James Jeffrey said Monday that Washington’s support for armed groups in northern Syria was temporary.The U.S.’s relationship with the SDF -- a group spearheaded by the YPG/PKK terrorist group – is "tactical" and "transactional", Jeffrey said in a speech at the Atlantic Council, a Washington, D.C.-based think-tank"We don’t have permanent relations with sub-state entities," he said, adding the U.S. supported the SDF with the specific goal of fighting against Daesh.The U.S. has been working alongside the YPG/PKK in Syria in an effort to eliminate Daesh from the region.Ankara views the YPG as the Syrian extension of the PKK, a designated terrorist group in Turkey, the EU and the U.S.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.‘Turkey would back UN plan for new Syrian constitution’Syrian opposition to back Turkish ops east of Euphrates
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The National Liberation Front (NLF), an umbrella of anti-regime opposition groups in Syria’s northwestern city of Idlib, said Monday that it would support planned Turkish military operation east of the Euphrates River.It also voiced readiness to confront the YPG/PKK terrorist group.“By allowing sectarian militias into the country, the Assad regime has tried to alter Syria's demographic composition,” the NLF said in a statement."The regime has created a suitable environment for terrorist groups, including the PKK/PYD/YPG, to the detriment of the Syrian people,” the organization added.Turkish, Russian, Iranian FMs to meet in Geneva on SyriaTurkish, Syrian children build friends through footballThe Assad regime, it went on to assert, “has turned Syria into a playground for rival regional powers”.The NLF also warned that “certain parties” were actively working to derail planned Turkish military operation east of the Euphrates."We will support any operation aimed at ensuring regional stability, ending the terrorist presence, and allowing the return of displaced persons to their homes,” the NLF statement read.It added: “We will not allow any group -- be it the PKK/YPG or anyone else -- to divide our country.”In May, 11 different Syrian opposition groups joined forces in the northwestern city of Idlib under the banner of the NLF.Turkey may start new Syria operation at any moment, Erdoğan saysSyrian regime forced 130,000 to leave homes in 2018On Sunday, the U.S. warned opposition groups linked to the Free Syrian Army against supporting anticipated Turkish operation east of the Euphrates River.On Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that operation could begin "at any moment", asserting that Turkey would never allow a “terror corridor” to be set up along its border.Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.According to UN figures, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict to date.Pentagon hands over Syria observation posts to PKK/PYD ahead of Turkish op
Syrian opposition to back Turkish ops east of Euphrates
Last week, PKK terrorists accelerated efforts to transfer weapons received from the U.S. under the pretext of fighting Daesh to Syria’s northeastern town of Tal Abyad. The shipments particularly escalated after Turkey started to shell PKK/YPG terror positions in the city and the east of the Euphrates River.
The PYD and its military YPG wing are Syrian branches of the PKK, which has waged war against Turkey for more than 30 years.
A possible mission east of the Euphrates, which Turkey’s leadership has been suggesting for months, would follow two successful cross-border Turkish operations into Syria since 2016 – Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch – both meant to eradicate the presence of YPG/PKK and Daesh terrorists near Turkey’s borders.
A total of 17,000 square kilometers are expected to be cleared from PKK/PYD terrorists during the first phase of the operation.
However, the final phase of the operation in Syria will remain under wraps until zero hour.
Additional force on the way
According to a statement made by the commander of the Idlib-based FSA Thuwwar Idlib brigade to Yeni Şafak daily, an additional back-up force of 8,000- 15,000 will be dispatched to join units at the ready.
Syria has only just begun to emerge from a devastating conflict that began in 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on demonstrators with unexpected ferocity.
According to UN figures, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict to date.