World
December 17, 2024 12:10
tel aviv - Turkey emerges as the big winner in the aftermath of Bashar al-Assad's fall, as they are set to launch a large-scale invasion of northern Syria to drive out Kurdish militias.
Turkish commandos and pro-Turkish rebels are gearing up for a potential military operation, with the aim of removing Kurdish militias from the border, according to American officials cited by the Wall Street Journal.
The Kurds, important allies of the United States in the fight against ISIS, have sought Trump's intervention to persuade President Erdogan to reconsider his plans.
However, Erdogan appears determined to capitalize on his longstanding support for the Syrian opposition, despite facing political repercussions at home. This move could lead to the return of millions of refugees and a crackdown on Kurdish militias labeled as terrorists by Erdogan.
Trump, who withdrew American troops from northeastern Syria during his first term, now sees Erdogan's hand in Assad's downfall, describing it as a 'hostile takeover' by Turkey. Trump stated, 'I think Turkey is getting the key to Syria.'
Having supported rebels for years, Ankara currently holds significant influence in Syria. Turkey recently reopened its embassy in Damascus after twelve years, and its Defense Minister has offered to train the new Syrian armed forces.
Despite officially considering Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Al-Qaeda-linked rebel group, a terrorist organization, Turkey is believed to maintain close ties with them, possibly supplying them with weapons indirectly. Ankara denies direct involvement in the downfall of the Syrian regime.
Turkey, sharing a 900-kilometer border with Syria, sees the country as its backyard. Trump seemed to refer to this historical context in his speech, acknowledging Turkey's aspirations. He expressed acceptance of Erdogan's control, stating, 'The people going in are being controlled by Turkey. That's okay.'
Turkey is directing the Syrian National Army, focusing more on Kurds than Assad's regime. After capturing Manbij, they are now preparing to attack Kobani, a town known for its past clashes between Kurds and ISIS.
A Kurdish official wrote to Trump warning of Turkey's intentions to 'establish control over our land.' Talks for a ceasefire have failed so far.
A Turkish invasion could jeopardize the fight against ISIS, with concerns over the terrorist group exploiting the Syrian chaos. The US has conducted numerous airstrikes against ISIS since Assad's fall and is worried about the security of prisons holding IS fighters.
The conflict between Kurds and Turkey poses a significant challenge for Al-Jolani and his interim government, testing his ability to keep both sides satisfied as a leader of a unified Syria.