Turkey intervenes in Syria under the umbrella of Russia

On 24 August, Turkey launched a military operation (‘Euphrates Shield’) into the territory of Syria, officially using land forces (special forces and tanks) for the first time, in addition to shelling and airstrikes. The targets of the attacks are the forces of Islamic State in the area of Jarabulus, and in the long run, also the forces of the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) in northern Syria. Ankara’s broader plan is to rebuild its influence in northern Syria (the security zone concept), and above all to neutralise the Syrian Kurds’ para-state in the region. The operation against Islamic State has political and military (air) support from the United States.

In contrast to before, Turkey’s actions are being carried out in collaboration with Russia, not against it; their rivalry had lasted from the beginning of the war in Syria in 2011 and in 2015 Russia had effectively pushed Turkey out of Syria, including preventing any Turkish sorties

ESO: Background information: Turkey joins the fray: What the Turkish invasion means for the Syrian civil war http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-joins-the-fray-what-the-turkish-invasion-means-for-the-syrian-civil-war/

ESO: Background information: Biden mends fences with Turkey, at the expense of Kurdish forces in Syria http://www.europeansources.info/record/biden-mends-fences-with-turkey-at-the-expense-of-kurdish-forces-in-syria/

ESO: Background information: Keeping Syrian Refugees Out Has Not Made Turkey Secure http://www.europeansources.info/record/keeping-syrian-refugees-out-has-not-made-turkey-secure/

ESO: Background information: Statement by HR/VP Federica Mogherini and Commissioner Johannes Hahn on the bomb attack in Istanbul http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-hr-vp-federica-mogherini-and-commissioner-johannes-hahn-on-the-bomb-attack-in-istanbul/

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