Turkey might lead the Syrian Democratic Forces, a government opposition in Syria, into Assad’s arms.
Under certain circumstances, US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces if Syria have stated that they may seek assistance from the Syrian administration. If Ankara happens to start fresh military campaign against the SDF in the North, the new policy will be implemented.
After the leaders’ summit yesterday, the Kurdish-led SDF stated that reducing tensions near the Turkish border is its top goal. It did caution, though, that if Turkey follows through its threat, it would be in for a long-lasting struggle.
The YPG, the Syrian affiliate of the PKK, makes up the majority of the troops in Syrian Democratic Forces. PKK is considered a “terrorist” organization by Ankara, Washington, and the EU.
“The meeting confirmed the readiness of [SDF] forces to coordinate with forces of the Damascus government to confront any possible Turkish incursion and to protect Syrian territories against occupation,” the part of the SDF statement read.
Earlier, the SDF was thought to be a main section in the larger opposition to President Assad in Syrian government. However, more recently, it has expanded closer policies with Damascus, thanks to the rise of Turkish military involvement and their supporters in the opposition.
Erdogan, Turkey’s president, has stated several times in recent months that he is contemplating a big military action inside Syria. Erdogan wants to build a 19-mile-deep buffer zone along Turkey-Syria borders.
The next military action would be Turkey’s fourth significant campaign in six years. Turkey has taken control of land from the Syrian Democratic Forces and ISIS in several regions in past wars.
The deployment of Russian and Syrian security forces to the northern regions appears to be growing. It happened after Russia warned against military intervention in Syria a few days ago.
Syrian Democratic Forces and Syrian Government
Turkey-Russia talks started today in Turkish capital. In the meantime, Russia is strengthening positions near Tal Rifaat, Manbij, according to a spokesperson for the Syrian National Army (former Free Syrian Army who are under Turkish support).
The area lies on the fringes of Kobane and Ain Issa, both of which are less than 25 miles off the border with Turkey. “Since the announcement of operation, the Syrian regime and its Iranian militias have mobilised and (are) sending reinforcements to the YPG,” Major Youssef Hammoud asserted.
Russian aircraft were detected landing at an air facility near Tal Rifaat, according to Syrian National Army sources. Days earlier, Turkish media claimed Russia was deploying troops in northern Syria to strengthen its influence.” Moscow conducted surveillance flights over Tal Rifaat and installed air defense systems in Qamishli, a border town roughly 400 kilometers off Tal Rifaat.
Syrian administration should utilize its air defense systems against Turkish jets, according to Syrian Democratic Forces leader Mazloum Abdi. Abdi also stated that his troops are ready to collaborate with Syrian military in order to combat Ankara.
Ankara and Moscow have a good relationship, and Turkey has attempted to mediate negotiations over Ukraine. Turkish assistance for rival Syrian factions, however, may bring Vladimir Putin‘s ties with Ankara to the strain. Turkey is the sole NATO member that has not imposed financial and economic sanctions against Moscow following the Ukraine war.
Erdogan has a lot riding on this. A Turkish attack would be fraught with danger if it did not have at least implicit consent from Russia, Assad’s main supporter in Syrian conflict.
At various stages during Syria’s war, Moscow and Ankara have curtailed one another’s military aspirations. There has been no evidence of a large Turkish armed construct along the borderlines.
