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Turkey to launch offensive in Kurdish-controlled area in northern Syria

Tuesday, 06 August 2019 8:25 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 06 August 2019 9:00 AM ]

Rahshan Saglam

Press TV, Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the country will carry out a military operation east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria in an area controlled by the Kurdish YPG militia. He said both Russia and the United States have been informed about the operation. Erdogan blamed threats by US-backed Kurdish militants, and the delay in reaching a deal on militant-free buffer zone for his decision. Turkey says it is running out of patience with Washington.

Turkey has called for the United States to end its support for a Kurdish militia in northern Syria as crucial talks between the two countries continue.

Analysts say there are points of difference between the two NATO allies concerning the safe zone. Turkey wants this zone to have more than 30 kilometer depth into Syria while Washington says 10 kilometers are enough, not to mention the US support for Kurdish militants and Washington’s future plan which Turkey is seriously worried about.

The US support for Kurdish militants in northern Syria has created tension between the two NATO allies. The Kurdish issue is considered a matter of national security for Turkey, which views the YPG Kurdish militants in northern Syria as extension of the outlawed militants of the Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK.

It seems that a third Turkish cross-border military operation is about to take place in northern Syria east Euphrates regardless of the results of Turkish-American talks. Turkey once again seems hell-bent on doing whatever it takes to keep the Kurds away from its borders.

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