Turkish forces have crossed into Syria in an attempt to wrestle control of Jarablus from “Islamic State” fighters and thereby prevent Syrian-Kurdish forces from taking the city. [Tom Stevenson reports from Istanbul.]
For the first time since the start of the Syrian civil war, Turkish forces backed by the United States, have crossed the Syrian border and openly intervened against “Islamic State” (IS) forces.
In the early hours of Wednesday, Turkey began conducting heavy artillery strikes – including Howitzer strikes – on the IS-controlled city of Jarablus, which lies on the Turkey-Syria border on the banks of the Euphrates River.
Turkish F-16 aircraft then conducted airstrikes on IS positions in Jarablus as Turkish special forces made for the city. German-built Leopard tanks operated by the Turkish army have followed in their wake with a force of 1,500 Turkish-backed Syrian fighters. The United States has confirmed that it will provide air cover for the Turkish forces.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has launched the operation “against terrorist groups that constantly threaten our country,” referring to both the Islamic State and Syrian-Kurdish YPG forces whom Ankara views as terrorists.
Before the operation, Syrian-Kurdish YPG forces linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were advancing on Jarablus following their military victory over IS in Manbij.
Turkish pretext?
Syrian Kurdish forces say the operation, which Turkish forces have code-named “Euphrates Shield,” is motivated more by a desire to stop their advance against IS than by anti-IS sentiment.
During the operation, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned Kurdish forces to keep away from Jarablus. “If YPG doesn’t retreat back to the east of the Euphrates, Turkey will do what is necessary,” Cavusoglu said.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have accused Turkish military intelligence of assassinating the Kurdish forces commander in Jarablus, Abdulsettar Al-Cadiri, just prior to the operations.......http://kurdishdailynews.org/2016/08/25/dw-turkeys-syria-offensive-aimed-at-kurdish-ypg/
25/8/16
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Related:
For the first time since the start of the Syrian civil war, Turkish forces backed by the United States, have crossed the Syrian border and openly intervened against “Islamic State” (IS) forces.
In the early hours of Wednesday, Turkey began conducting heavy artillery strikes – including Howitzer strikes – on the IS-controlled city of Jarablus, which lies on the Turkey-Syria border on the banks of the Euphrates River.
Turkish F-16 aircraft then conducted airstrikes on IS positions in Jarablus as Turkish special forces made for the city. German-built Leopard tanks operated by the Turkish army have followed in their wake with a force of 1,500 Turkish-backed Syrian fighters. The United States has confirmed that it will provide air cover for the Turkish forces.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has launched the operation “against terrorist groups that constantly threaten our country,” referring to both the Islamic State and Syrian-Kurdish YPG forces whom Ankara views as terrorists.
Before the operation, Syrian-Kurdish YPG forces linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) were advancing on Jarablus following their military victory over IS in Manbij.
Turkish pretext?
Syrian Kurdish forces say the operation, which Turkish forces have code-named “Euphrates Shield,” is motivated more by a desire to stop their advance against IS than by anti-IS sentiment.
During the operation, Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned Kurdish forces to keep away from Jarablus. “If YPG doesn’t retreat back to the east of the Euphrates, Turkey will do what is necessary,” Cavusoglu said.
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), have accused Turkish military intelligence of assassinating the Kurdish forces commander in Jarablus, Abdulsettar Al-Cadiri, just prior to the operations.......http://kurdishdailynews.org/2016/08/25/dw-turkeys-syria-offensive-aimed-at-kurdish-ypg/
25/8/16
-
Related:
Russian Foreign Ministry calls on Turkey to coordinate with Syria regarding fighting terrorism
Joe Biden arrives in Ankara amid Turkish military incursion into Syria
'Blatant Violation of Sovereignty': Damascus Condemns Turkish Op in Syria, demands that the UN takes action to stop Turkish "aggression."
Syrian Kurdish YPG calls Turkish "Euphrates Shield operation" blatant aggression
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