Ankara/Istanbul : Turkey has deployed soldiers in the ‘Afrin’ region of Syria for action against the ‘Kurds’. The Turkish army declared that this deployment of ‘Special Forces’ is a beginning of a new phase inthe Turkish military action. Meanwhile, the United Nations and the European Union has appealed that Russia and Turkey should observe the ceasefire declared in the ‘Eastern Ghouta’ region of Syria. However, Turkey has declared that this ceasefire will not affect its operationin ‘Afrin’ and that its action will still continue.
Six weeks ago, Turkey had initiated military action in ‘Afrin’ in the Northern region of Syria. Turkey started the military campaign ‘Operation Olive Branch’ against the Kurdish militia organisation ‘Peoples Protection Units’ (YPG). Turkey declared that Turkish forces have so far killed 2059 terrorists and have brought 115 key locations and 87 towns under their control. Along with this, Turkey claimed to have gained control over the ‘Afrin’ border areas.
The military campaign against the Kurds is not yet complete and Turkey has announced that it will now take the action to the next stage. The Turkish agencies have informed that the soldiers from the ‘Special Forces’ of the Turkish police have entered Syria for this purpose. ‘Deployment of the Special Forces is the beginning of the new conflict. These soldiers are deployed for action in the residential areas,’ said Bekir Bozdag, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister.
Thousands of Turkish soldiers, tanks and military vehicles have already entered the ‘Afrin’ region. Turkey has justified the military action in Syria saying that there is a threat to Turkish security from the Kurds. Turkey has appealed that the United States should not aid the Kurds in ‘Afrin’. Concerned about the action in Syria, Rex Tillerson, the US Secretary of State paid a visit to Turkey. The Assad regime has made allegations that the Turkish army has infiltrated the ‘Afrin’ region without permission from the Syrian government. After negotiations with the Syrian army, the Kurds also declared the initiation of conflict with the Turkish army. There were subsequent reports of the Syrian army entering ‘Afrin’.
Expressing its anger about the negotiations between Syria and Kurds, Turkey ordered that the action in ‘Afrin’ be further intensified. Turkey had initiated air attacks to stop the Syrian army. Within a few days of this report, information about Turkey’s deployment of soldiers from the special forces in the area have been received.
Ceasefire has been declared in ‘Eastern Ghouta’ at the same time when Turkey has announced to intensify the action. The United Nations and the European Union has appealed to Turkey to stop the action in ‘Afrin’ and honour the ’30-day ceasefire’. Turkey has said that the rules of the ‘Eastern Ghouta’ ceasefire cannot be applied to the ‘Afrin’ action and that the action against the Kurds will continue.
Meanwhile, US Central Command Chief Votel, has criticised Turkey of becoming a puppet in the hands of Russia. Turkey has not reacted to Votel’s criticism. But the uncertain position of the United States can result in a direct conflict with Turkey, warned a daily from London.
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