QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – RecentTurkish air raids on north and northeast Syria spared neither Russian nor the US-led Global Coalition, signaling flagrant Turkish disregard to all calls and warnings made by both countries to bring attacks to a halt and avert any potential ground invasion of northeast Syria.
On November 22, a Turkish drone struck a jointly operated base by the US-led Coalition and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the countryside of Hasakah, northeastern Syria, more than 50 km distance from the Turkish border.
In a statement, the SDF said two of Counter-Terrorism Units (YAT) were killed and three others were injured, two of them seriously.
Commenting on the Turkish strike, the Pentagon’s spokesman, Air Force Brigadier General Pat Ryder, said, “Recent airstrikes in Syria directly threaten the safety of U.S. personnel who are working in Syria with local partners to defeat ISIS and maintain custody of more than ten thousand ISIS detainees.”
In the aftermath of the strike, US helicopters hovered over its bases in the region.
US forces operate in east Euphrates in a number of bases in al-Omar Base in eastern Deir ez-Zor Governorate and in al-Tanf Base, some 23 km distance from al-Waleed border crossing where the border of Syria, Iraq and Jordan meet. These are the largest US bases.
There is another base located in west Hasakah of city, another in the village of Himo in west of Qamishli city and a base in the village of Tel Fares, close to the Qamishli Airport.
A military source within the Coalition told North Press that targeting the base by a Turkish drone was a dangerous act at a time when Washington seeks to maintain stability in the region.
Some observers hold the opinion that the Turkish strike against the joint base could damage relations with Washington at a time the later says it opposes any Turkish ground operation that could destabilize Syria.
A day to the Turkish strike of the Coalition-SDF joint base, a Turkish drone struck the joint Russian-SDF al-Mabaqer Base in the town of Tel Tamr, killing an SDF fighter and wounding three others.
Russian Military Police has operated in the al-Mabaqer Base in the aftermath of the Turkish invasion of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad in October 2019, serving as a ceasefire guarantor.
Up to now, Russia and Turkey have made no comments.
However, Usama Denoura, a Syrian expert and observer expects the Turkish operation to be “very limited.” Usama believes any further operations could damage relations with Russia that could lead to undesirable repercussions the “ones Ankara does not favour.”
According to local media outlets, Russian forces evacuated the base before being targeted, something that North Press could not verify.
However, as the US voices commitment to continue its anti-ISIS mission and Russia calls Turkey for self-restraint, the latter proceeds its air raids against the SDF and vital facilities and infrastructure in northeast Syria.
Responding to statements made by Russian and US officials on the probability of a potential Turkish ground offensive, SDF Commander in Chief Mazloum Abdi told al-Monitor there still much is needed to be done.