Turkish media predict date when ground troop operations in Syria, Iraq might start

Türkiye could begin a massive ground military operation in Syria and Iraq after December.

The Turkish Huriyyet publication reported on this, citing sources close to the government.

It reported that the Turkish ministry of defence announced on November 20 the beginning of the "Claw-Lock" military operation following the terror attack on central Istanbul on November 13, in which Ankara believes the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Syria to have been involved.

According to Hurriyet, the air force operation in Iraq is expected to conclude in December after which the countdown for the ground operations in Syria will begin. According to the publication’s columnist citing an internal source, much larger operations are planned for that stage in the region.

Turkish President Recep Tayyib Erdogan has recently referred to the military operations of his Armed Forces in the North of Syria and Iraq as being "only the beginning", highlighting that Ankara is resolutely determined to carry out measures to guarantee the safety of its border and has the right to "take care of itself".