Undid revision 737529888 by Beshogur (talk) No source. |
Well, the twitter sources of ''bob crow brigade'' is allowed, therefore I put the official account of the Sultan murad brigade. https://twitter.com/STumeni/status/772042348142456832 |
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*Clashes erupt between Turkey-backed Syria rebels and SDF; YPG withdraws to east of Euphrates,<ref name="YPG retreat">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/ypg-withdraws-menbeij-amid-turkish-pressure/|title=YPG withdraws from Menbeij amid Turkish pressure|author=Izat Charkatli|publisher=al-Masdar News|date=26 August 2016}}</ref> though Turkey disputes this<ref name="YPG not retreat">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/photos-fsa-islamists-near-jarabulus-find-ypg-id-cards-weapons/|title=Photos: FSA & Islamists near Jarabulus find YPG ID cards, weapons|author=Paul Antonopoulos|publisher=al-Masdar News|date=28 August 2016}}</ref> |
*Clashes erupt between Turkey-backed Syria rebels and SDF; YPG withdraws to east of Euphrates,<ref name="YPG retreat">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/ypg-withdraws-menbeij-amid-turkish-pressure/|title=YPG withdraws from Menbeij amid Turkish pressure|author=Izat Charkatli|publisher=al-Masdar News|date=26 August 2016}}</ref> though Turkey disputes this<ref name="YPG not retreat">{{cite web|url=https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/photos-fsa-islamists-near-jarabulus-find-ypg-id-cards-weapons/|title=Photos: FSA & Islamists near Jarabulus find YPG ID cards, weapons|author=Paul Antonopoulos|publisher=al-Masdar News|date=28 August 2016}}</ref> |
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*Turkey-backed Syrian rebels control approximative 400 km² territory at sixth day of the offensive<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/tskdan-garaya-hava-harekati|title=TSK'dan iki son dakika açıklaması|work=CNN TÜRK|date=29 August 2016}}</ref> |
*Turkey-backed Syrian rebels control approximative 400 km² territory at sixth day of the offensive<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnnturk.com/turkiye/tskdan-garaya-hava-harekati|title=TSK'dan iki son dakika açıklaması|work=CNN TÜRK|date=29 August 2016}}</ref> |
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*On 10th day of Euphrates Shield, FSA reached Sajur Lake |
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| combatant1 = '''{{flag|Turkey}}'''<br/><br/> |
| combatant1 = '''{{flag|Turkey}}'''<br/><br/> |
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{{flagicon|Syria|1932}} [[Free Syrian Army]] labeled rebel groups |
{{flagicon|Syria|1932}} [[Free Syrian Army]] labeled rebel groups |
Revision as of 12:45, 3 September 2016
Jarabulus offensive (2016) | ||||||||||
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Part of the Syrian Civil War, the military intervention against ISIL, the Turkey–ISIL conflict, the Turkish involvement in the Syrian Civil War and the Rojava conflict | ||||||||||
Map of frontlines and movements in the Shahba region of Aleppo Governorate as of 30 August | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||
Belligerents | ||||||||||
Turkey Other rebel groups Supported by:United States[3] (only against ISIL, but not against SDF)[4][5] | Islamic State |
Syrian Democratic Forces[6] | ||||||||
Commanders and leaders | ||||||||||
Lt. Gen. Zekai Aksakallı[13] (Operations chief commander) Lt. Gen. İsmail Metin Temel[14][15] (Second Army commander) Col. Ahmed Othman[16] (Sultan Murad Division commander) Fehim İsa[17] (Sultan Murad Division commander) Ali Şeyh Salih[18] (Sultan Murad Division commander) Mohammad Abu Ibrahim[19] (Levant Front commander) Mustafa Sejari[19] (Al-Moutasem Brigade political leader) | Unknown |
Muhammad Ahmed[20] (Jarabulus Military Council commander) | ||||||||
Units involved | ||||||||||
Sultan Murad Division[21] |
Jarabulus Military Council[20]
| |||||||||
Strength | ||||||||||
"Hundreds" to 5,000 rebel fighters[21][27]
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||||
Casualties and losses | ||||||||||
3 fighters killed, 2 wounded, 2 captured (Turkish claim)[31][32][33] | 100+ killed, 2 captured (Turkish claim)[38] |
4 killed, 15 wounded, 6 captured (SOHR claim)[39][40][41] 25 militants killed, 7 militants captured (Turkish claim)[39][42] | ||||||||
40 civilians killed, 75 wounded (SOHR claim)[39] 75 civilians killed (pro-SDF claim)[39] 3,000 civilians flee Jarabulus (pro-PYD claim)[43] |
The Jarabulus offensive (code named by Turkey Operation Euphrates Shield, Turkish: Fırat Kalkanı Harekâtı) is an ongoing cross-border operation in and around the Syrian border town of Jarabulus and the wider Shahba region, conducted by Turkish military and Turkey-backed Syrian rebel groups against forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) as well as against the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) since 24 August 2016.
Background
The Shahba region in northern Aleppo Governorate is a region considered of major strategic importance in the Syrian civil war, previously mostly held by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). For ISIL it is the only remaining gate to an international border. The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) consider it the missing link between the cantons of the Rojava. For Turkey it is the path to its influence in Syria, while also viewing both ISIL and the People's Protection Units (YPG), a major component of the SDF, as ″terror groups that threaten our country in northern Syria″.[44][45] The stage for the Jarabulus offensive was set by the previous Manbij offensive from June to August which saw the SDF capturing the city of Manbij and its surroundings from ISIL and in the aftermath moving north. At the same time, Turkey-backed Syrian rebels fought the Battle of al-Rai to approach Jarabulus from the west.
According to an article published in The Independent, the most important Turkish objective is to strike at the political and military power of the Democratic Union Party (PYD).[46] Turkey′s defence minister Fikri Işık said that "preventing the Kurdish PYD party from uniting Kurdish cantons" east of Jarablus with those further west was a priority.[47] Before the operation, SDF forces including YPG units were advancing on Jarablus following their military victory over IS in Manbij.[48] Both Manbij and Jarablus are west of the Euphrates river, but Turkey wanted YPG forces to move back to the east of the river after the conclusion of the SDF's Manbij operation.[49] According to an article published in the pro-AKP Daily Sabah, Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield, aimed at improving security, supporting coalition forces and eliminating the terror threat along its border by using Free Syrian Army fighters backed by Turkish armor, artillery, and jets.[50]
Turkey′s action pitched its military against a force backed by the U.S.[49][51] Also, it was the first time Turkish warplanes struck in Syria since November 2015, when Turkey downed a Russian warplane, and the first significant incursion by Turkish special forces since a brief operation to relocate the tomb of Suleyman Shah, in February 2015.[49]
Preparations
On 20 August 2016, a large number of rebels and a military convoy containing more than 50 vehicles loaded with heavy and medium weapons from al-Rai were transferred to the Turkish border with Jarabulus.[52]
On 22 August, as a response to the Gaziantep bombing and two mortar shells launched by ISIL hitting the town of Karkamış adjacent to Jarabulus, the Turkish Land Forces launched 60 artillery shells at IS positions in Jarabulus while simultaneously bombarding Manbij Military Council positions farther south in order to prevent them from advancing further to the north.[53] Karkamış was soon evacuated and cleared of its residents. Turkey continued to shell ISIL positions in Jarabulus after two mortar rounds hit Karkamış and three hit Kilis.[54]
On 23 August, Turkey shelled Islamic State-held territory in northern Syria again.[55]
The Turkey-backed rebels under the brand of the FSA that took part in the offensive comprised mainly Syrian Turkmen, specifically the branches of Syrian Turkmen Brigades.[56][57] During the offensive, as a sign of classification, FSA troops of Turkmen origin use light blue armbands, a color which is often used as a symbol of Turkic heritage; meanwhile, the Arab origin soldiers mainly use red ones.[56][58][59]
The SDF have accused the Turkish military intelligence of assassinating Abdel Sattar al-Jader, the leader of the Jarabulus Military Council, a component of the SDF, just prior to the operations.[48]
The offensive
Capture of Jarabulus by Turkey-backed forces (24 August)
Early in the morning of 24 August, Turkish forces directed intense artillery fire against ISIL positions in Jarabulus while the Turkish Air Force bombed 11 targets from the air.[60] Later that day, Turkish main battle tanks followed by pick-up trucks, believed to be carrying Turkish-backed Syrian rebels,[61] and the Turkish Special Forces crossed the border and were joined by hundreds of Free Syrian Army fighters as the ground forces attacked the town.[27] U.S.-led coalition planes helped the Turkish forces.[3][49] This was their first co-ordinated offensive into Syria.[49] The FSA said progress was slow because of mines planted by IS fighters in the area.[61]
A few hours after the offensive's beginning, Turkish Special Forces and the Sham Legion captured their first village, Tal Katlijah, after ISIL fighters retreated from it to reinforce Jarabulus.[2] Some time later, FSA captured four more villages[62] including Tel Shair, Alwaniyah and two other villages.[38][63] Hours later, Turkish and US-backed rebels were reported to have captured the border town of Jarabulus, with ISIL offering little resistance.[64][65] SOHR too confirmed that FSA had captured the city almost entirely.[66] A FSA spokesman stated that a large number of ISIL fighters had withdrawn to al-Bab in front of the offensive.[67]
The fact that no actual combat took place between Turkey or Turkey-backed Syrian rebels versus ISIL in Jarabulus[68] and the closeness in islamist political ideology between ISIL and some if not all involved rebel groups has led to some local and international speculation about a collusion between Turkey and ISIL in the operation, including allegations of ISIL fighters changing uniform.[69]
Continued advance of Turkey-backed forces against ISIL and conflict with SDF (24 August—25 August)
Later on 24 August, speaking in Ankara, US vice president Joe Biden appeared to support Turkey′s stance vis-a-vis the Syrian Kurds and said that the "the elements that were part of the Syrian Democratic Forces, the YPG that participated, that they must go back across the river" (the Euphrates).[61][70] The YPG, however, initially refused to withdraw from Manbij,[71] while the pro-SDF Jarabulus Military Council groups declared that they would not give up their hometown to the Turkish-backed rebel groups which they considered "no different from ISIS". In consequence, when Turkish-backed FSA units, among them the Sham Legion and Harakat Nour al-Din al-Zenki, forcibly attempted to enter the SDF-held village of Amarinah south of Jarabulus, they were met with resistance. Whereas the SDF claimed to have repelled the assault, the rebels announced to have captured the village. Before clashing with the SDF, the FSA had captured half a dozen villages.[72][73][74][75]
On early 25 August, more than 20 Turkish tanks crossed into the Syrian border.[76] The U.S. foreign minister later informed the his Turkish counterpart that the YPG had started withdrawing to the east of the Euphrates river.[77] A spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve later announced that the SDF had withdrawn across the Euphrates river in order to prepare for an offensive on Raqqa.[78] The YPG later separately announced it had withdrawn to the east of Euphrates and said all military command along with all YPG-held positions was handed over to the Manbij Military Council.[79] Despite this, Turkey claimed that some YPG units had not retreated, leading the Turkish military to shell them with artillery and, according to Hürriyet Daily News, launch a drone strike against one YPG group.[80][81] The pro-PYD Hawar News Agency claimed later on that Turkish artillery had shelled the SDF-held village of Dandaniyah with chemical weapons, releasing pictures of purported victims. The report, however, could not be confirmed by indepedent sources.[82] While the conflict between Turkey and SDF continued, members of the Jarabulus Military Council stated once again that they "will not allow some mercenaries to take over our city. We will liberate Jarabulus," with some claiming that the Turkish-backed rebels were former ISIL fighters.[20]
Meanwhile, the offensive against ISIL continued, as both the Turkish-backed forces as well as SDF units took control of additional villages south of Jarabulus from ISIL.[83] Pro-PYD sources claimed that clashes had broken out among FSA groups in Jarabulus.[84] Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Işık stated later in the day that FSA was clearing Jarabulus of any remaining ISIL militants.[85] After Jarabulus was largely secured, rebel commanders declared conflicting targets for the further offensive; whereas the Levant Front announced that the rebels would next attempt to take Al-Bab, the Al-Moutasem Brigade and the Sultan Murad Division stated that the Turkish-backed forces would proceed west to break the ISIL siege of Mare', while Turkish media reported that the offensive aimed at securing a strip of territory along the Turkish-Syrian border.[14][19] However, Ankara's forces pushed south and mostly focused on targeting Kurdish-led SDF forces.[86]
Disputed YPG withdrawal, Turkish-backed rebels drive SDF south of the Sajur River (26 August—29 August)
On 26 August, al-Masdar News claimed that all YPG forces had actually withdrawn to the east of the Euphrates as result of the continued Turkish pressure, leaving all territory around Manbij under control of their allies within the SDF,[10] though rebel forces later released photos of YPG ID cards and weapons allegedly taken in Amarna, suggesting that at least some YPG fighters remained around Manbij, if not all.[11] On the next day Turkish planes bombed the SDF-aligned Jarabulus Military Council positions in the village of Amarna, 10 km south of Jarabulus. According to the SDF civilian homes were also hit and the SDF avoided moving north to prevent escalation of the clashes.[87] Turkish-backed rebel forces then attacked and captured the SDF-held villages of Maz’alah and Yousif Bayk, while also attempting to advance against the stragetic significant hilltop of Amarna.[40][88] In response to the attacks, mostly Arab SDF groups such as the Northern Sun Battalion announced that they would send reinforcements to help the Jarabulus Military Council.[24] Also, later on the same day, one Turkish soldier was killed and three were wounded in an anti-tank missile attack on a Turkish tank south of Jarabulus. According to Turkish military sources the missile was fired from territory held by the SDF. The soldier's death is the first reported fatality on the Turkish side.[89][90] Turkish forces retaliated with artillery fire.[91]
Meanwhile, the Free Syrian Army cleaned Jarablus of mines and explosives planted by ISIL militants before their withdrawal from the town.[92] The Turkish Red Crescent started distributing food after landmines and other explosives had been cleared from the border between Karkamis in Turkey and Jarabulus in Syria. The humanitarian movement handed out various food supplies for around 5,000 people in the town.[93] Taking advantage of the conflict between SDF and FSA, ISIL launched a massive counteroffensive and captured al-Rai according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).[94][95]
On 28 August, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Aleppo24,[96] at least 20 civilians were killed and 50 wounded in Turkish artillery fire and air strikes on the village of Jeb el-Kussa, and another 28 were killed and 25 wounded in Turkish air strikes near the town of Al-Amarneh and the village of Saressat. Also, at least four SDF fighters had been killed and 15 injured in Turkish bombardment of the two areas.[97][98][99] Syrian monitoring groups reported that at least 70 people were killed at the weekend (27-28 August), most of whom were civilians, in the Turkish operations. Turkish officials didn't comment on the reported civilian death toll, except to say that commanders were taking all necessary measures to protect noncombatants.[96] On the other side, Turkey claimed to have killed 25 PKK and YPG militants in course of the airstrikes.[91] Turkish-backed forces then began a major attack against the SDF positions, capturing Amarna and nearby Ain al-Bayda; rebel groups also claimed to have taken the villages of Qusa, Balaban, Dabisa, Jeb el-Kussa, Suraysat, Umm Routha, Maghayer and Qiratah further south, though this could not be independently confirmed.[100][101] The ANF News Agency published a video of two Turkish army tanks destroyed by SDF anti-tank missiles.[102] Meanwhile, Turkish-backed Sham Legion fighters released footage showing them torturing SDF prisoners.[103]
Some of the Syrian refugees, mainly Syrian Turkmen and Arabs who were living in the area which Turkish-led forces liberated, returned to the Jarabulus area. Erdoğan stated that necessary help will be given to other refugees who stated their will to return to their homelands[104] and Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu accused "the PYD" of "ethnic cleansing" in areas which were not inhabited by Kurds at all.[105]
On 29 August, Ibrahim Ibrahim, head of the Rojava Media Cell, stated that local forces in Jarabulus and Manbij were being reinforced but denied reports that YPG was reinforcing Manbij.[106] United States' envoy to the anti-ISIL coalition called the clashes between SDF and Turkish-backed rebels a "source of deep-concern". The spokesman for Pentagon called for YPG to pull back to east of the river which he stated had largely occurred. He also warned that such clashes enabled ISIL to find sanctuary and continue planning attacks.[107] In course of the day, Turkish-backed forces first captured all remaining SDF positions north of the Sajur River, and then proceeded to cross it to conquer three more villages,[108] bringing the number of villages captured by the rebels to 21.[109]
Ceasefire bid between Turkey-backed rebels and SDF. Fighting of both rebels and SDF against ISIL continued (30 August—present)
On August 30, John Thomas, a spokesman for the US Central Command stated that Turkey and SDF had agreed to stop fighting each other and had opened communications with the United States as well as with each other.[110] Jarabulus Military Council claimed that it had reached a temporary ceasefire agreement with Turkey after mediation by the US-led anti-ISIL coalition. It also claimed that the ceasefire had started around midnight of 29–30 August.[111] On the same day, Turkey′s foreign ministry said the U.S.' comments regarding the objectives of the Turkish military operation in Syria were "unacceptable" and that the country would continue its operations until it achieved the goal of eliminating ″terrorist threats in the region″.[112] Turkish military sources[113] and commander of a Syrian opposition group denied a ceasefire had taken effect. The commander stated however while there was a pause in the operation, it would resume shortly.[114] The U.S. welcomed the putative pause in fighting.[115] Later in the day, Turkish Armed Forces stated that a Turkish tank near Sajur river had been hit by a rocket. However, it was not clear who had carried out the attack. The Turkish military carried out a strike 45 minutes after the tank was hit and claimed it had destroyed a group of "terrorists" west of Jarablus. It also claimed that it had carried out airstrikes against ISIL targets in Kulliyah in northern Syria.[110][116][117] SOHR confirmed that there was a pause in fighting between the two groups around Jarablus and Sajor river.[118] General Joseph Votel meanwhile stated that Kurdish fighters had moved to east of Euphrates as per their commitment.[119]
On 31 August, Turkey's officials rejected the announcement of ceasefire made by the U.S. shortly prior, saying Turkey would not accept any compromise or ceasefire between Turkey and what Turkey saw as terrorist elements.[120][121] Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said that "operations will continue until all terrorist elements have been neutralised, until all threats to our borders, our lands and our citizens are completely over".[120] Meanwhile, ISIL launched a massive counterattack in the southwestern countryside of Jarabulus preceded by a suicide attack. The militants captured four villages (Kiliyeh, Arab Hasan Saghir, Al-Muhsinli, and Al-Bulduq) from both the SDF and Turkish-backed rebels. Two Turkish tanks were reportedly destroyed in the clashes.[122]
On 1 September 2016, explosive experts of the Turkish Armed Forces cleared mines from the area around Jarabulus using controlled explosions. The de-mining operation on the Syrian side of the border was visible from the Turkish border town of Karkamış. An AFP photographer nearby heard at least a dozen explosions.[123]
On 2 September the SDF-aligned Bob Crow Brigade, composed of (mostly British and Irish) international volunteers for Rojava, said it was leaving the Raqqa front and heading to Manbij to defend it against a possible assault by Turkish forces and Islamist rebel groups.[8][124] A day prior, the Turkish prime minister′s spokesman labeled such Western volunteers as "crusaders and terrorists" and said they would be treated by the Turkish government "as terrorists".[125][126][127]
Later on 2 September 2016, a statement released by the Turkish military said that a total of 271 targets were hit 1195 times by the Turkish Armed Forces and the Free Syrian Army while anti-ISIL coalition jets struck two ISIL targets. Also, the Turkish-backed FSA captured the Syrian village of Qundarah from ISIL.[128] The Turkish military also said that the Turkish Air Force destroyed three buildings used by ISIL in Arab Ezza and Qundarah with airstrikes.[129] Also on 2 September 2016, the pro-AKP Daily Sabah newspaper claimed that after two days of conflict, a SDF group based in Tell Abyad, the Liwa al-Tahrir, had defected from the SDF and joined the FSA groups in Jarabulus.[130]
International reactions
From UN-member states
- Bulgaria: Prime minister Boyko Borisov on 26 August said: "The Turkish Armed Forces have probably prevented a probable new migration wave of 2 million people with the Euphrates Shield operation in Syria’s Jarablus with the coalition.”[131]
- France: The president of France, Francois Hollande, has on 30 August criticized Turkey's "contradictory" military operation in Syria, saying he could understand Turkey's concern about protecting its borders and fighting the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) group, but criticized Ankara's actions against the YPG militia allied with the U.S.-led coalition who are fighting ISIL.[132]
- Germany: On 24 August, the German foreign ministry spokesperson supported Turkey's action against "terrorist activities" in northern Syria.[133] Furthermore, added that the Euphrates Shield operation was part of international efforts to overcome ISIL in the region.[134] However, on 28 August the Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has condemned Turkish attacks against the SDF and pointed out that Turkey has to join the war against ISIS not to fight Kurds, while also condemning PKK attacks in Turkey.[135]
- Iran: Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi on 31 August urged Ankara to quickly wrap up its military intervention in Syria, saying it was an "unacceptable" violation of Syrian sovereignty.[136]
- Netherlands: The Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bert Koenders on 28 August called for Turkey and Syrian Kurds to work against ISIL instead of fighting amongst themselves and Syrian Kurdish groups to be included in the peace talks. Nevertheless, he called the PKK a terrorist organization and it should be considered whether they will be included in the talks.[137]
- Russia: Russia's foreign ministry on 24 August said in a statement that Moscow was deeply worried by the escalation of tension on the Turkish-Syria border.[138]
- Syria: The Syrian foreign ministry on 25 August condemned "this blatant breach to its sovereignty" by Turkey. Syria said: "Fighting terrorism on Syrian territory from any side should have been coordinated with Syrian government and the Syrian army that has been fighting in these battles for five years".[65] Also, added that "substituting (ISIS) with other terrorist organizations backed directly by Turkey" is not "fighting terrorism."[139] On 2 September, the Ministry of Education of Syria announced that it resumes teaching in the schools of Manbij.
- Turkey: Turkey said the operation was an act of self-defence, in response to ISIS shelling of Turkish border towns and suicide bombings and attacks targeting Turkish nationals and also that "Our border must be completely cleansed of Daesh (ISIS)".[49] The Turkish foreign minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, said that YPG should return east of Syria's Euphrates River. Both Manbij and Jarabulus are west of the river.[65] Turkish Defence Minister Fikri Isik said preventing the PYD party from uniting the PYD cantons east of Jarablus with those further west was a priority."[47] Turkish Deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus: All parties were notified of Euphrates Shield including Damascus. They were informed about the operation via Russia.[140] On 25 August 2016, the largest opposition party in Turkey, Republican People’s Party (CHP), publicly supported Operation Euphrates Shield, but called it “long overdue”.[141] On 2 september 2016, Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that "the PYD forces had not yet retreated to the east of the Euphrates River in northern Syria despite claims by the U.S. that the group was withdrawing." Furthermore added that Turkey's operation into Jarablus was not an incursion and it was conducted to resettle the local Arab population back into their towns.[142]
- United States: US vice-president Joe Biden in the early days of the Turkish offensive publicly warned YPG forces in Syria that they would lose US support if they fail to "go back across the river" (east of the Euphrates).[61][70] Biden arrived in Turkey instead of John Kerry in a move seen as an ‘upgraded’ of the U.S. diplomatic mission.[143] As Turkey launched a major attack against the SDF on 28 August, the Pentagon refused to comment, other than stating that the SDF remained an important partner in the war against ISIL.[144] On 29 August, CENTCOM clarified that it had no involvement in Turkish or jihadi activities against the SDF. On the same day, the U.S. military voiced its "concern" over the clashes between Turkey and Kurdish-aligned forces in Syria.[5] On 31 August, the U.S. said Turkey's actions after taking Jarablus were "unacceptable" and CENTCOM commander Joseph Votel said that the U.S. will continue to support the YPG.[145] On 2 september 2016, US vice-president Joe Biden responded to a heckler that shouted: "Why did you tell the YPG to go back across the border?" Biden responded by saying: "Because the deal was to get them into Manbij, and to work, was they go back across the Euphrates so we could have special forces move in — that's why"[146] On the same day, U.S. President Barack Hussein Obama said ahead of the G20 summit in Hangzhou, China that "Turkey continues to be strong NATO ally, they are working with us to defeat ISIL."[147]
Supranational Organizations
- European Union: Elmar Brok, member of the European Parliament for the German CDU party and the chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs said that the PYD should remain on the east bank of the Euphrates river and "shouldn't use the fight against ISIL as an excuse to take hold of Arab regions. They have no business there."[148]
From unrecognized regions
- Iraqi Kurdistan: The head of the Iraqi autonomous Kurdistan Region, Massoud Barzani, said on 24 August that Iraqi Kurdistan and Turkey had agreed on a strategy to fight ISIS.[149]
- The National Coalition for Syrian Revolutionary and Opposition Forces commended Turkey and other countries participating in anti-ISIS coalition for their support of the rebel offensive on Jarabulus town. The Syrian National Coalition claimed foreign military presence in and around Jarabulus to be temporary and limited to the provision of logistical support.[150][151]
- Rojava: Syrian YPG forces said that the Turkish operation is motivated more by the desire to stop their advance at Jarablus than by anti-IS sentiment.[48] The Shahba region civilian council, formed under the umbrella of the Federation of Northern Syria - Rojava to govern Manbij, condemned the occupation of Jarabulus as a Turkish attempt to expand into Syria, likening it to the Battle of Marj Dabiq. The council further stated that Jarabulus would become a "grave for the criminal occupier Erdogan and his mercenaries".[20]
International law issues
The Syrian government denounced the intervention as a "blatant violation of its sovereignty" and said that "fighting terrorism isn’t done by ousting ISIS and replacing it with other terrorist organisations backed directly by Turkey".[152] Turkey′s officials were cited to state that the operation was in line with the country’s right to self-defence and a mandate given to the armed forces by the Turkish parliament in 2014;[153] also cited was Resolution 2249 adopted by the UN Security Council in November 2015 that while failing to invoke the UN's Chapter VII, which gives specific legal authorisation for the use of force,[154] did urge UN members to "redouble and coordinate their efforts to prevent and suppress terrorist acts committed specifically by ISIL also known as Da’esh as well as ANF, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaida, and other terrorist groups, as designated by the United Nations Security Council, and as may further be agreed by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and endorsed by the UN Security Council".[155]
See also
References
- ^ a b Susan Fraser; Philip Issa (24 August 2016). "U.S. warplanes support Turkish tanks attacking Islamic State forces in Syria". Military Times.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Turkish-led forces capture first village in northern Syria". al-Masdar News. 24 August 2016.
- ^ a b Leith Fadel (24 August 2016). "US to provide air cover for Turkish, Syrian forces in Jarabulus". al-Masdar News.
- ^ "I asked CENTCOM whether US was still providing support to Operation Euphrates Shield now fighting is focused on SDF". Richard Hall on Twitter. 29 August 2016.
- ^ a b "US warns over Turkish-Kurdish violence". BBC. 29 August 2016.
- ^ "YPG: We will not withdraw from west of the Euphrates". Rudaw. 24 August 2016.
- ^ "YPG-led SDF capture 3 villages from ISIS in north Aleppo countryside". Al-Masdar News. 30 August 2016.
- ^ a b c "British YPG fighters 'head to Manbij to face Turkish forces'". Middle East Eye. 2 September 2016.
- ^ "TSK: 32 Köy Terörist Unsurlardan Temizlendi". Yeni Asır. 31 August 2016.
- ^ a b Izat Charkatli (26 August 2016). "YPG withdraws from Menbeij amid Turkish pressure". al-Masdar News.
- ^ a b Paul Antonopoulos (28 August 2016). "Photos: FSA & Islamists near Jarabulus find YPG ID cards, weapons". al-Masdar News.
- ^ "TSK'dan iki son dakika açıklaması". CNN TÜRK. 29 August 2016.
- ^ Turkish Special Forces: From stopping a coup to the frontline of the ISIL fight Hürriyet Daily News, 24 August 2016.
- ^ a b Nick Tattersall; Humeyra Pamuk (26 August 2016). "Turkey signals no quick end to Syria incursion as truck bomb kills police". Reuters.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Korgeneral İsmail Metin Temel Cerablus'ta". Hürriyet Daily News. 26 August 2016.
- ^ "Turkish Forces and Rebels Storm Into Syria, Taking IS Stronghold of Jarablus". VOA. 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SULTAN MURAT TÜMENİ KOMUTANI FEHİM İSA TATHAMUS TÜRKMEN KÖYÜNÜN DEAŞ TERÖR ÖRGÜTÜNDEN TEMİZLENDİĞİNİ AÇIKLADI". 24 August 2016.
- ^ "Sultan Murat Tugayları: Önce Çobanbey ardından Menbiç'e ilerleyeceğiz". 25 August 2016.
- ^ a b c d Albin Szakola (25 August 2016). "Turkey-backed rebels aim for key ISIS-held town". NOW.
- ^ a b c d "Kurdish-backed council says Turkey's intervention to make Syrian town "grave for Erdogan troops"". ARA News. 26 August 2016.
- ^ a b c d e "LIVE: Turkish military, coalition forces launch 'Euphrates Shield' operation in Jarablus". Hürriyet Daily News. 24 August 2016.
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