Turkey seeks to invade northern Syria under the name of “safe zone” – politician
RAQQA, Syria (North Press) – An official in the Future Syrian Party said on Monday that Turkey seeks to achieve political and economic interests in northern Syria through threatening to launch a military operation under the name of a “safe zone”.
Ahmad al-Sultan, Deputy Secretary-General of the Future Syria Party, said that Turkey has always intensified its threats to achieve geographical goals through military invasion using its affiliated armed opposition factions, also known as Syria National Army (SNA).
On May 3, the Turkish president disclosed about his plan to settle about one million Syrian refugees in 13 Syrian areas, which are not the areas the refugees are originally from, adjacent to the southern border of Turkey starting from Azaz in the west to Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) in the east.
“We are preparing a new project for the voluntary return of one million Syrian brothers who are in our country as guests,” Erdogan said.
“The Turkish military invasion of the Syrian lands will contribute to the activity of terrorist sleeper cells, as it previously happened in Tel Abyad and Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain). In addition, other factions will be established inside Hawl camp,” al-Sultan added.
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.”
Al-Sultan pointed out that all the claims of the Turkish president about establishing a “safe zone have nothing to do with reality.” Instead, the area will witness violations, conflicts among factions and property expropriation, hurting no one but population and IDPs there.
In a speech made to MPs of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) on May 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the “Turkish military would continue to rid its neighbour of terrorists” referring to the YPG.
“We are taking a new step in establishing a 30km security zone along our southern border,” Erdogan said. “We will clean up Tel Rifaat and Manbij.”
The Deputy Secretary-General demanded the guarantor states in Syria, especially Russia, to curb Turkey and its affiliated SNA factions, as they are shelling inhabited villages and areas in Manbij and Kobani.