U.S. Warnings of an “Imminent” Turkish Operation in Northern Syria

18th December 2024

1 minute read

U.S. Warnings of an "Imminent" Turkish Operation in Northern Syria

The situation in northern Syria appears to be heading toward a new escalation, according to an American newspaper.

The Wall Street Journal reported today that U.S. officials are increasingly concerned about an imminent Turkish military operation in Kurdish-held areas of northern Syria, where Turkish forces and artillery are amassing in significant numbers near the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani).

The same source confirmed that Turkey and its allied armed factions are mobilizing forces along the Syrian border, coinciding with the expiration of a temporary truce between the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and Turkish-backed factions, without reaching a comprehensive settlement agreement.

According to U.S. officials, the Turkish buildup mirrors Ankara’s movements before its incursion into northeast Syria in 2019, noting that Washington is currently pressing for restraint.

The four-day truce ended yesterday, Monday, after U.S. mediation failed to reach solutions on key issues, including the transfer of prisoners, the secure withdrawal of SDF forces from the city of Manbij and its countryside, and the resolution of the Suleyman Shah mausoleum issue, including its return to its original location.

For its part, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed that Turkey has sent massive military reinforcements to areas adjacent to the city of Kobani, including heavy weapons and armored vehicles, while putting its border forces on high military alert.

Reports indicate that the city of Ain al-Arab (Kobani) is now under direct threat, amid warnings of the repercussions of a new military operation on the security and humanitarian situation in northern Syria.

Since December 8, Syria has been experiencing a new reality after opposition armed factions announced the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and their entry into Damascus.