Second Turkish Military Convoy Enters Syria in 24 Hours
IDLIB, Syria ( North Press) – On Monday, Turkish forces sent military reinforcements to bases deployed in Idlib Governorate, northwest Syria, coinciding with mutual military escalation between the Syrian government forces and armed opposition factions in the region.
Eyewitnesses told North Press that a Turkish military convoy, which consisted of 12 vehicles, entered through the Kafr Losin military border crossing with Turkey north of Idlib and headed to inner areas in the governorate.
The convoy, which included armored vehicles, personnel carriers and logistics equipment, was accompanied by al-Sham Legion that is assigned to protect Turkish posts in northwest Syria, the eyewitnesses added.
Military sources from the opposition told North Press that the convoy headed to Turkish posts in Zawiya Mountain south of Idlib, located in the area separating Syrian government forces and the Turkish-backed armed Syrian opposition faction, also known as the Syrian National Army (SNA).
The entry of the reinforcements came at a time when Idlib and Aleppo countryside witness an ongoing military escalation since the beginning of 2023. The region’s people fear a new military operation which might lead to a new wave of displacement.
On Monday, a Turkish military convoy entered through al-Rai border crossing in northern Aleppo and headed to the city of al-Bab.
On January 14, Turkish forces established its first helipad near its military base in the town of Balyoun in Zawiya Mountain, where around 55 Turkish posts are situated.
This is taking place despite efforts paid towards thawing ties between Syria and Turkey following a meeting in Moscow in late December last year that brought together ministers of defense of Syria, Russia and Turkey.
Amidst Turkey’s persistent endeavors to grant a green light for a new military operation inside Syria, it continues to push more military convoys to the region.
Since May 2022, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has continued threatening to launch a new military operation against north Syria, specifying his targets in Manbij, Tel Rifaat and Kobani.
On Jan. 14, launching a ground military operation in Syria is “possible at any time depending on the perceived threat level,” Ibrahim Kalin, spokesman and foreign policy adviser for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, said.