Turkish-backed Syrian forces intensify assaults on US-aligned Syrian Kurdish group

ALEPPO — The Turkish military has intensified its assaults in opposition to the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northeast Syria over the previous few weeks.

Turkish airstrikes have focused for assassination distinguished area commanders, whereas Turkish-backed Free Syrian Military (FSA) factions have launched heavy artillery and missiles at SDF-held areas.

In the meantime, FSA factions have elevated navy readiness and mobilized further forces on the frontlines.

These developments have raised questions in regards to the objectives behind the escalation and on the opportunity of a Turkish-backed military operation in opposition to the SDF, which is backed by the US-led worldwide coalition.

Since October 2019, areas of northeast Syria have been subjected to a Turkish-Russian agreement to transfer the SDF 30 kilometers again from the Turkish-Syrian border and conduct joint Russian-Turkish patrols.

The Turkish military seemingly adopted a brand new technique in its current escalation against the SDF by counting on drone assaults to focus on distinguished SDF commanders.

Concurrently, Turkish forces stationed at Turkish bases in Syria shelled SDF positions in Tal Tamr, Abu Rasin, and in different villages and cities close to the demarcation line within the Hasakah countryside, which has witnessed large-scale civilian displacement as a result of shelling.

Since mid-August, Turkish forces and the FSA have even focused Manbij within the japanese Aleppo countryside and the outskirts of Ain Issa within the northern Raqqa countryside, the place dozens rallied Sept. 1 in entrance of the Russian navy base to protest the Turkish bombardment of the city and its surrounding areas.

An FSA navy official primarily based within the metropolis of Ras al-Ain within the Hasakah countryside advised Al-Monitor on situation of anonymity, “The FSA factions have elevated their navy readiness on the battlefronts with the SDF in Ras al-Ain countryside since mid-August. The Turkish military oversaw the operations to redeploy the forces alongside the demarcation line with the SDF.”

He added, “The navy alert was not restricted to the FSA-held areas east of the Euphrates, but additionally concerned the Aleppo countryside west of the Euphrates within the Jarablus countryside and al-Bab metropolis. Army battalions have been shaped beneath the supervision of the Turkish military, every tasked with guarding a selected demarcation line. A Turkish navy backup will permit these battalions to take care of any sudden growth on the bottom.”

The supply continued, “Additionally, Turkish navy reinforcements arrived at a lot of the demarcation strains with the SDF, together with armored automobiles, artillery bases and missiles.”

For his half, Maj. Yusuf Hamoud, a spokesperson for the FSA-affiliated Syrian Nationwide Military, advised Al-Monitor, “The Turkish military and the FSA are targeting the SDF operation facilities as a result of their forces proceed to bombard civilian areas within the Aleppo countryside and the Operation Peace Spring areas. It’s thus essential to take care of the sources of the shelling. It’s regular to take these navy measures.”

Hamoud added, “The state of affairs is open to all prospects, and nothing will stop us from conducting it so long as the SDF is shelling the populated areas in Ras al-Ain, Tal Abyad and Afrin within the Aleppo countryside.”

Hamoud indicated that “the battles in Syria will go on. The map and the navy distribution may also change. The navy escalation you could have observed there may be calculated. It targets navy positions, gatherings of safety commanders and particular figures, and the sources of fireside on the opposition areas.”

An SDF navy official within the Hasakah countryside advised Al-Monitor on situation of anonymity, “The Turkish military and its allied factions have elevated their shelling on the populated villages with the goal of undermining stability within the space and sowing worry among the many residents to pressure them to flee.”

The supply dominated out the likelihood that the Turkish military and its allied factions perform a large-scale navy operation this present day. He stated, “The escalation might proceed, however the state of affairs on the bottom will not be heading towards an open warfare. What is going on is a conceit of energy.”

Together with the Turkish escalation in northeastern Syria, Russian forces set up in August a number of navy factors alongside the frontlines with the FSA-controlled areas within the Operation Peace Spring space. They arrange navy factors in Raneen village south of Suluk city and in Shirkrak south of Inform Abyad. They’re additionally getting ready to arrange different navy factors within the neighborhood of al-Alia Silos and al-Mabrouka in Ras al-Ain.

Anas Shawakh, a researcher on the Istanbul-based Jusoor Middle for Research, advised Al-Monitor, “The current Turkish escalation goals primarily to strain Russia to abide by the phrases of the Sochi settlement signed between the 2 sides in 2019 after Operation Peace Spring ended.”

He added, “It’s clear Turkey believes the Kurdistan Staff Occasion (PKK) and SDF leaders are nonetheless current and transferring inside areas near its border. In case this strain goes on, it would inevitably pressure the SDF to restrict the motion of the PKK leaders inside its ranks, which can enhance discord and stress throughout the SDF ranks.”

Shawakh “dominated out any intention by Turkey or Turkish-backed factions to launch a navy operation this present day. But it’s nonetheless attainable, particularly with the renewed navy escalation between the 2 events in numerous areas, particularly in Ain Issa.”

He indicated “the SDF fears the Turkish military and its allied factions will launch a navy operation in opposition to them, particularly since they (the SDF) are involved about getting the identical destiny because the Afghan military, which the US supported following the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan. The US-led coalition has repeatedly stated its mission in Syria is to struggle the Islamic State IS, not Turkey or anybody else.”