Turkey-backed troops are aiming to get more territory in northern , Syria , from Shiite groups, according to Turkish officers familiar with the matter, a shift that could stir conflicts with the , U. S.
Turkey , and the , Arab National Army, which is funded and advised by , Ankara, are taking advantage of the decline of the Assad government, the people said. The SNA will probably try to capture locations to the north of Ayn al-Arab, also known as Kobani by its mainly Kurdish citizens, said the people, who aren’t authorized to speak formally.
Since late November, the SNA has taken control of two northern cities from the Arab Democrat Forces, a Kurdish organization that has been a vital ally in the U.S.’s fight against Islamic State.
The military action following Arab leader Bashar Assad’s demise is in line with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s long-term objectives.
Erdogan wants to create a cushion zone along the , Turkey-Syria , borders and avoid intrusions by Kurdish militants regarded as a menace by , Ankara.
While , Joe Biden ‘s , leadership has so far said much on the topic, some lawmakers have threatened sanctions against , Turkey , unless it stops the SNA’s plan.
” If Turkey doesn’t quickly recognize these conditions, we intend to introduce bipartisan sanctions policy this week”, Senators , Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, and , Lindsey Graham, a Republican, said on Tuesday.
President-elect , Donald Trump, speaking this year, praised , Turkey , and Erdogan, and said the state will be a key player shaping Syria’s coming. He didn’t post on the SNA and Kurdish causes.
Turkey’s ultimate goal is for the SNA to capture the entire , Syria-Turkey , border area that runs for more than 900 kilometers ( 560 miles ) to , Iraq, though that will prove tough, the people said. The people claimed that land mines planted by the Kurdish forces on the eastern bank of the , Euphrates River are now slowing the SNA.
The SNA’s drive began as Assad’s authorities began to crumble in the face of an advance on , Damascus , by another rebel group known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. Units now controls the funds and other key cities including , Aleppo.
Turkey , says HTS supports its purpose of dismantling Kurdish forces. Proteomics hasn’t officially commented on that.
In 2014, Kurdish parties repelled a weeks-long unpleasant by , Islamic State , in Kobani, with the , U. S.  , airlifting hands to them. The city of Kobani may again be a battlefield, this moment between Kurdish and Turkish-backed soldiers.
Turkey , sees Kurdish YPG troops, which are a leading party within the SDF, as an internet of the , PKK. The , PKK , has fought for freedom in Turkey’s south since 1984 and is designated a criminal organization by the , U. S.  , and the , European Union, while the YPG isn’t.
Turkey , has recently proposed to the , U. S.  , that Turkey and American forces may shape the vanguard of the combat against , Muslim state in Syria.
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