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The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) is in preparation to carry on an operation against Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) terrorists east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria.
Newly-elected Raqqa Local Council President Fayez al-Ghada spoke to Yeni Şafak daily in his first exclusive interview since he took office and divulged the details of the U.S and the PKK alliance in the region, as well as the public’s support of Turkey’s upcoming military operation.
“If Manbij is purged of the PKK, it will pave the way for the liberation of Raqqa,” al-Ghada stressed.
Turkey will launch an operation in the east of the Euphrates in a few days to liberate the region from the PKK terrorist organization, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday.
The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) ordered the Free Syrian Army (FSA) three days ago to prepare 14,000 troops for an operation targeting the east of Syria’s Euphrates River, according to information obtained by Yeni Şafak daily. The FSA was told to prepare armaments and equipment for the operation.Turkey will launch an operation in the east of the Euphrates in a few days to liberate the region from the PKK terrorist organization, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced on Wednesday."It is time to realize our decision to wipe out terror groups east of the Euphrates," Erdoğan said. An army of 14,000The FSA completed its preparations for the operation on Wednesday, coinciding with Erdoğan’s announcement. FSA’s 14,000-strong force will serve as an advance guard and their numbers will increase once the operation begins.The TAF’s commando and Special Forces units were informed that they would partake in the operation, and were allowed to visit their families before deploying.Turkey deploys military vehiclesThirty armored personnel carriers dispatched from the border province of Kilis headed toward the Syria border, which is where they will be stationed. The convoy of military vehicles is protected by a wide range of security measures.Video: Turkey deploys 30 military vehicles to Syria border as op loomsAccelerated deploymentsOver the past 15 days, military deployments to the Syrian border have been increased. Armored vehicles, tanks and personnel were deployed from Şanlıurfa to Akçakale.In the first stage of the operation, strategic targets of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)/People’s Protection Units (YPG) will be hit. Positions, routes, logistic centers and connection points determined through field intelligence will first be struck and then cleared.The operation is expected to rapidly clear 100 square kilometers of terror elements.Turkey to launch operation east of Euphrates in Syria in a few days: ErdoğanPKK tactics anticipatedIt is presumed that the operation will commence from Tal Abyad, which is a tactical location east of the Euphrates. Once Tal Abyad is cleared of terror elements, its connection to Manbij will be severed.Both TAF and FSA units were warned to be wary of bomb attacks carried out by terrorists. The PKK terror group is expected to conduct new forms of attacks.U.S. troops warnedBefore the operation is officially launched, U.S. troops will be told to remain within their region and away from PKK targets. Turkey will request the coordinates of U.S. soldiers in the region.A 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.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.US training of terrorists ‘not acceptable’ to TurkeyUS says Turkey's planned Syria operation 'grave concern'
14,000 strong FSA army ready for Turkey’s Euphrates op
US-PKK alliance forced 850,000 civilians to leave the region
Sharing his opinions on the U.S.’s attitude toward civilians in Raqqa, he said, “850,000 civilians fled the region owing to the Raqqa operation launched under the pretext of fighting Daesh. None of those civilians returned home because the U.S. forces and the PKK have not permitted them to.”
“Actually, PKK terrorists want to flee Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor because they don’t feel safe in the region, but the U.S convinced them to stay,” al-Ghada continued.
The U.S.-led coalition's bombardment of Syria's Raqqa in 2017 had resulted in numerous civilian casualties.
Raqqa Local Council President Fayez al-Ghada speaks to Yeni Şafak daily
“Turkish army will eventually enter Raqqa”
Stressing the public support for Turkey’s looming operation, al-Ghada said, “The U.S does not allow civilians to return home, nor does it allow for the reconstruction of the schools, mosques, houses, bakeries and hospitals. If the Turkish army launches its military operation east of the Euphrates River, it will garner public support on a much larger scale than expected,” he said.
“The TAF and FSA will eventually enter Raqqa,” he concluded.
Turkey has repeatedly objected to U.S. support for the terrorist PKK/PYD as a "reliable ally" in Syria, which has included supplying arms and equipment.
A 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.
In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the EU -- has been responsible for the death of some 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.