Ankara ready to launch cross-border ops amid rising instability in Syria

The Turkish military is prepared to conduct cross-border operations in northern Syria against PKK/YPG militants if deemed necessary, according to Türkiye's Defence Ministry.

The ministry addressed President Tayyip Erdogan's comments on the need to “close the gap on our southern borders” and the potential for operations to establish a 30-kilometre security zone, Caliber.Az reports via Turkish media.

“Conducting operations to secure our country and our borders is Türkiye’s legitimate right in terms of international law and the right to self-defence. We have done everything necessary in this regard until today and will do so in the future, wherever there is a source of terrorism threatening our country and people. When the time and place comes, what is necessary will be done,” the statement by the sources within the ministry reads.

The sources emphasized that cross-border operations remain an option to safeguard the nation.

“Cross-border operations are always on the agenda to ensure the security of our country and the peace of mind of our citizens. If we feel threatened, we are ready to launch cross-border operations at any time. No one should doubt our respect for Syria’s territorial integrity. However, there is complete instability in northern Syria,” President Erdogan said earlier.

Erdogan underscored that the instability in northern Syria, combined with the presence of terrorist groups, continues to threaten Türkiye’s security. “The purpose of all our operations against terrorist organisations such as the Islamic State and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) is to ensure our own security. The steps we will take from now on are also aimed at this task. There are still terrorist-held areas on our borders, and that poses a risk to our security. It is impossible to fully secure the borders without clearing them and draining the terrorist swamp,” the Turkish president remarked.

Erdogan has repeatedly highlighted plans to finalize a security zone in northern Syria, securing a 600-kilometre stretch of border to mitigate terrorist threats.

The PKK, which is designated a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the EU, has waged a campaign of terror against Türkiye for 40 years, causing the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and the elderly. The YPG is considered the Syrian extension of the PKK.

Since 2016, Türkiye has launched several successful anti-terror operations in northern Syria to prevent the establishment of a terror corridor and to enable peaceful resettlement for locals. These operations include Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

By Tamilla Hasanova