SDF Military official: We’re not seeking war with Turkey, yet ready to respond
Ras al-Ain – North-Press Agency
Hassan Abdullah
The borderline between Turkey and areas in the north and northeastern Syria are witnessing new military mobilizations by the Turkish army coinciding with statements by Turkish officials hinting at looming military intervention in the region.
According to sources in the Turkish border town of Ceylanpinar, adjacent to Sari Kani/Ras al-Ain, northeastern Syria told North-Press that Turkish army’s mobilizations have increased during the past few days in the area, in addition to operations of drilling and positioning of Turkish forces’ machinery right at the border.
For his part, the commander of Ras al-Ain Military Council (a newly established military council by SDF, as part of a transition to a new organizational structure), Imad Meno told North-Press in an exclusive statement, that the Turkish army has been mobilizing forces on the border area adjacent to the city of Ras al-Ain till to the town Gire Spi/Tal Abyad.
Meno said: “The Turkish leadership seeks through its threats in SDF held areas to put pressure on the Global Coalition and the United States, and divert attention from the deterioration of the situation inside Turkey.”
He pointed out that Turkey is trying to drag SDF to war by targeting some of their military points near the border, to justify to the world public opinion its intervention in the region.
Moreover, the commander of Ras al-Ain Military Council Imad Meno stressed that they are not seeking to wage a war against Turkey, yet, they are ready to respond to any attacks or attempts by Turkey, and to confront any threats to the region.
Fears
For their part, local people of the Syrian border town of Ras al-Ain had expressed their objection to any threats aimed at their security and stability.
“People are worried about these threats, but they will defend their land in case of any intervention,” said Abdulaziz Daoud, a resident who says the Turkish threats raise fears of repeating the scenario of the region of Afrin in northwestern Syria.
While Nafia Ali said that she hadn’t seen any change on the border, although she lives in a neighborhood along the border, while she heard about Turkish movements of the other side of the border, “In case of a Turkish military intervention, it will definitely endanger the lives of the population,” Nafia said.