Turkish threats negatively affect north Syria’s economy – AANES
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – On Thursday, the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES) warned of dangerous impacts on the region’s economy if Turkey launches a military operation on northern Syria.
The co-chair of the Economy and Agriculture Board, Salman Barudo, said that the Turkish threats raise our concern and may deteriorate the economic situation in the area.
“Wars or just war threats have negative impacts on markets and economy in general, and this is what really happening in north and east Syria,” Barudo said.
“Whenever the operation starts, hundred thousands of people will be displaced. This will force the AANES to respond to displacing needs which increases pressure over economical sources,” he added.
On June 1, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan renewed his threats of launching a military operation on northern Syria, and specified his targets in the two Syrian cities of Manbij and Tel Rifaat, which include many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
He predicted that the military operation will increase unemployment and poverty rates and that economic growth would stagnate in north and east Syria.
On May 25, Turkey’s National Security Council said that Turkey’s “existing and future military operations along its southern borders were necessary for the country’s security.” In the meeting, Erdogan delivered a speech to the MPs of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and said, “Turkish military would continue to rid its neighbor of terrorists” refers to the SDF.
If the Turkish threats continue or come true, this will pose inflation to the area, according to Barudo.
On May 23, Erdogan announced taking steps to complete the so-called remained portions of the “safe zone” plan along Turkey’s southern border saying, “We will soon take new steps regarding the incomplete portions of the project we started on the 30 km deep safe zone we established along our southern border.”
The Turkish “safe zone” is an area of 30-35 km (19-22 miles) deep into Syrian territory that Turkey started establishing in 2019 to settle Syrian refugees in an area along its border with Syria, as well as to keep it free from the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which it regards as terrorists.
“We expected economic breakthroughs and polarization of investors in the region after excluding it from Caesar Act, but the Turkish threats came against our anticipations,” he noted.