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Turkey’s determination to not allow a fait accompli in the east of the Euphrates has been proved yet again through concrete steps taken on the field. While strikes targeting PKK/YPG positions in the region are burying the terrorists in the trenches they dug, experts believe that Turkey may soon station howitzer batteries in Syria. This will enable hits to target a greater region and for the Turkish military to tighten its grip around the PKK/YPG terror group.
Turkey struck YPG positions in the Zor Magar area to the west of northern Syria’s Ayn al-Arab region on Oct. 28. Howitzers were used during this operation, and initial reports indicated that 10 terrorists were neutralized.
The move came two days after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan issued a “final warning” to those who would endanger Turkey’s borders, saying Ankara was determined to focus its attention on terrorists positioned east of the Euphrates.
Turkey on Saturday called on the U.S. to terminate its engagement with the terrorist group PYD/YPG in Syria.In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal, who visited Washington on Nov. 1-2., termination of engagement is necessary for both Turkey’s national security and the establishment of sustainable peace and stability in Syria.The statement came after Onal held talks with the U.S.’s Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale and Undersecretary of Defense for Policy John Rood during his visit.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.The ministry said in recent days, Turkey has acted in accordance with its rules of engagements to the provocative activities by PYD/YPG on Turkey-Syrian borders. “We have said that we will never tolerate terror activities beyond our borders,” the ministry added.The statement said that the talks focused on improving relations between the two countries and coordination of regional issues as well as functionalizing existing cooperation mechanism.During the meetings, Turkey and the U.S. expressed their “satisfaction” over the launching of joint patrols in accordance with Manbij Roadmap previously agreed by the foreign ministers of two countries, the statement added.The Manbij deal between Turkey and the U.S. focuses on the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the city to stabilize the region, which is in the northeast of northern Syria's Aleppo province.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 those of women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.The Turkish Foreign Ministry also called on the U.S. officials to take “concrete steps” against Fetullah Terror Organization (FETÖ).The FETÖ and its U.S.-based leader, Fetullah Gulen, orchestrated the defeated coup, which martyred 251 people and injured nearly 2,200 others in July 2016. Gulen has lived in a self-imposed exile in Pennsylvania since 1999.
Turkey calls on US to terminate engagement with PYD/YPG
Turkey is dampening PKK’s morale, motivation
Defense analyst Turan Oğuz evaluated the goals and probable results of the operation in an exclusive interview with Yeni Şafak daily.
Oğuz dubbed the move as a way to “measure the PKK’s reaction and U.S. response, and reduce the morale and motivation of the PKK.”
Reactions being noted
The type and period of reaction is being analyzed by military experts at a Turkish base, Oğuz said.
“All of the strikes have a cause-result relationship. The Turkish army is monitoring and noting all the changes on the field following these hits. We can say that a coordinated effort is being run with Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT) in terms of the changes of the field,” Oğuz added.
Turkey’s Interior Ministry said Friday that 18 PKK terrorists were neutralized between Oct. 31 and Nov. 2, with one being captured alive.Turkish authorities often use the word "neutralized" in their statements to imply the terrorists in question either surrendered or were killed or captured.In a statement, the ministry said eight of the terrorists had been neutralized in Turkey’s southeastern province of Sirnak by provincial gendarmerie in an operation codenamed "Hancer (Dagger)-6".Turkey 'neutralizes' 210 PKK terrorists in OctoberThe statement added that one of the neutralized terrorists had been responsible for an Oct. 4 attack on Turkish troops in southeastern Turkey which resulted in the martyrdom of eight soldiers.Selim Demiroglu, codenamed Firat Celi, who was on the orange category of the interior ministry's wanted list, was among the terrorists who were neutralized during the operation.The wanted list is divided into five color-coded categories, with red as the most wanted, followed by blue, green, orange and grey.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.Turkish jets 'neutralize' 6 terrorists in northern IraqSenior PKK terrorist neutralized in SE TurkeyPKK uses Turkey as excuse to end anti-Daesh ops in Syria
Turkey neutralizes 18 PKK terrorists over three days
Howitzer batteries to soon be transported beyond Turkey’s border
Oğuz said that the importance of areas where Turkey has established dominance following the success of its Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations will be better understood in the coming days.
“In the case of a probable land operation, artillery will also move forward into Syria,” Oğuz said, noting that the howitzer batteries that struck the east of the Euphrates are currently positioned within Turkey’s borders.
“In this way, the range can be used more effectively and the damage inflicted on the targets will increase. This constitutes a difficult period for the PKK/YPG, because the terrorists became closely acquainted with the impact of Turkish howitzers during the Euphrates Shield Operation. It appears that the same end awaits the terrorists,” Oğuz said.
Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and his U.S. counterpart James Mattis spoke over the phone, said a Turkish ministry source on Friday.Akar and Mattis exchanged views on bilateral defense relations, situation in Syria and the fight against terrorism, said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.In a statement, Eric Pahon, a spokesman for Pentagon, said the two men agreed that the combined patrols between the U.S. and Turkish military forces northwest of Manbij, Syria "were an important step toward de-escalating tensions along the border and maintaining security and stability in the region".Turkish and American troops on Thursday began their first round of joint patrols in Manbij, as part of a deal to rid the area of the YPG/PKK terrorist group.Since June 18, the Turkish Armed Forces have carried out 68 individual patrols in Manbij.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 40,000 people, including women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.Turkey, US lift tit-for-tat sanctions
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