Potential Turkish invasion negatively affect unity of Syrian territories – SDF
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said on Tuesday that “the Turkish occupation projects, including recent threats, were only a preparation for the partition of Syria.”
This came in a special meeting held with attendance of the commanders of the SDF military councils to discuss recent developments in north and east Syria following Turkish threats of a potential invasion of the region.
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 house 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.
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 neighbour of terrorists” refers to the SDF.
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).
The meeting highlighted the impact of any new Turkish invasion on the humanitarian situation in the areas of north and east Syria, stressing that “any aggression would bring Syrians back to square one of the Syrian crisis.
“The meeting discussed the impact of the Turkish invasion on the war against ISIS, and how ISIS took advantage of the escalated attacks by the Turkish occupation,” the SDF website reported.
The SDF military council underscored that “it gives priority to the commitment to de-escalation agreements,” stressing at the same time their readiness to protect the region and its population against any potential attacks with a protracted war.
The meeting indicated that a potential Turkish invasion would negatively affect the stability and unity of the Syrian territories, confirming that “the invasion will be confronted not only in the targeted areas but also in the already occupied Syrian territories.”
The SDF military council also confirmed its readiness to coordinate with the Syrian government forces to thwart any potential Turkish attack.