TURKISH DEFENCE MINISTER’S REMARKS
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told reporters on Wednesday that Turkey and Russia are considering expanding joint patrols in northern Syria to prevent attacks from militant groups amid mounting concerns about a possible Turkish invasion of the region to eliminate Kurdish “terrorists.”
Akar said that necessary agreements were reached regarding Turkey’s operations in Syria during last week’s trilateral meeting between the Turkish, Syrian, and Russian defence ministers.
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The minister further noted that Turkey respect’s Syria’s territorial integrity and supports UN Security Council resolution 2254, which says the Syrian conflict should be resolved through an “inclusive and Syrian-led political process.” However, he stressed that Turkish forces will defend Turkey and “neutralise the terrorists who attack and abuse,” referring to Kurdish militant organisations like the Syrian People’s Defence Units (YPG) and the Iraqi Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
TURKEY, SYRIA, RUSSIA MEETING
On 28 December, Akar met with his Russian and Syrian counterparts — Sergey Shoigu and Ali Mahmud Abbas — in Moscow to discuss the Syrian conflict, refugee issue, and presence of terrorist groups like the PKK, YPG, and ISIS.
It was the first ministerial-level meeting between Syria and Turkey since the start of the Syrian conflict 11 years ago.
TURKEY’S STANCE
Turkey launched an aerial campaign dubbed “Operation Claw Sword” in Iraq and Syria immediately following the 13 November bomb blast in Istanbul’s Taksim Square, which killed at least six people and was attributed to Kurdish militants. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has warned that Turkey could launch a ground offensive in Syria to eliminate the Kurdish threat.
OPPOSITION
Russia has urged Turkey against using “excessive” military force in Syria, warning that a ground offensive could lead to regional instability and violence.
The US also warned Turkey against conducting further airstrikes in Syria, saying that strikes have risked not only the lives of American personnel working in Syria but also years of progress against ISIS.
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The warning followed Turkish airstrikes against the Syrian Democratic Forces’ (SDF) — a Kurdish militia and a US ally in fighting ISIS — positions in the Al Hol prison camp in November, resulting in several ISIS prisoners fleeing the camp.
TURKEY’S OPERATIONS IN SYRIA AND IRAQ
Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield, Operation Olive Branch, and Operation Peace Spring, in 2016, 2017, and 2019, to eliminate Kurdish militants from northern Syria.
In an agreement with the US and Russia in 2019, Turkey halted its military operations in northeast Syria in exchange for the withdrawal of YPG militants 30 kilometres south of its borders. Turkey and Russia also launched joint patrols in the country in 2019 as part of the deal. Despite this, Kurdish militants have, on several occasions, targeted Turkish troops stationed in Rojava.