Turkish occupation of northern Syria

Syrian Security Belt

Current situation in northern Syria
  Ba'athist Syria
  SDF
  ISIL
  Opposition

and Turkish-backed forces

Capital Jarabulus
Largest city al-Bab
Languages
Government Military occupation
Areas under Safe Zone administration
24 August 2016
• Formation of TFSA (SNA)
 30 May 2017
Currency Syrian pound
Turkish lira

The Turkish occupation[1][2] of northern Syria, also known as the North Aleppo Border Pocket, the Northern Syria Security Belt,[3] or the Safe Zone (Turkish: Güvenli Bölge), refers to areas of Syria captured and occupied since August 2016 by the Turkish military and Turkish-backed Syrian Turkmen and Arab forces during the Syrian Civil War. Turkish-occupied Syria consists of a 1,620 square kilometer area which encompasses around 217 settlements, including: al-Bab, Azaz, Dabiq and Jarabulus. This territory had previously been controlled by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the Syrian opposition, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and the Syrian government.

Background

2013-14 proposals for Safe Zone

The proposed safe zone in Syria between Kobane (pink) and Afrin (light blue).

Turkey and Syrian opposition proposed a safe zone that includes some regions of northern Syria in 2013, however United States and the other Western states were not willing to accept these plans.[4][5] After the advancements of ISIL in Iraq, Turkey and United States negotiated 'safe zone', while USA accepted 'ISIL-free zone', US officials were reluctant to accept a no fly zone.[6][7]

European support

After the attacks of ISIL in Syrian Kurdistan, tens of thousands non-Sunnis, Christians and Yazidis fled to Turkey. In the beginning of 2015, refugees began to cross Turkish-Greek border, escaping to European countries in massive numbers. The huge refugee flow resulted in reconsidering the creation of a safe zone for civilians in Syria.[8] In February 2016, Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel said, "In the current situation it would be helpful if there could be such an area where none of the parties are allowed to launch aerial attacks – that is to say, a kind of no-fly zone".[9]

U.S.-Turkish negotiations

The safe zone in Syria failed to have been created in early 2016 due to disagreements between the US and Turkish governments, primarily on which actor is to be eliminated first. While Turkey wanted the Syrian government to be overthrown as soon as possible, the US prioritised the war against ISIL as the main objective. The US also feared that the Syrian Air Force will bomb the area, which would make the idea of a safe zone impracticable. The government rejected the safe zone for being a safe haven for both civilians and rebels.

The outline of the safe zone was another reason for the disagreement. According to Turkey, the safe zone must have included a no fly zone, whereas the US rejected any possibility in establishing a no-fly zone, which would bring a conflict with the Syrian government. Although Turkey was willing to support more radical Islamist branches of the Syrian opposition forces in the region after ISIL was eliminated, the US expressed reluctance to support such elements.[10]

As well, Turkey considers the YPG to be a threat. due to its strong ties with the PKK. On the other hand, the US asserted that although they deem the PKK as a terrorist organisation, the YPG is a distinct actor, constituting one of the main allies of the US in its war against ISIL.[11]

Another debate was about the name of the safe zone. While Turkey called the zone a 'safe zone from ISIS, the Syrian regime and YPG,' the US, however, declared that they will only accept an 'ISIS-free zone'.[12]

Turkish safe zone geography

Areas between Azaz and al-Rai, Syria, like Kafr Kalbin; Kafrah; Sawran; Ihtaymilat; Dabiq; Barih; Kafr Elward; Ghoz; Ghaytun; Akhtarin; Baruza; Tall Tanah; Kaljibrin; Qebbet al-Turkmen; Al-Ghandurah; Arab Hassan Sabghir; Mahsenli; and Halwanji have been included to the safe zone. In addition, Erdogan said, "They will leave Manbij. They will to go east of the Euphrates River. If not, we will do what is needed".[13]

Military and police

On 30 May May 2017,[14] the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (or National Syrian Army) composed of Syrian Arab and Syrian Turkmen rebels operating in northern Syria was formed, mostly being a part of Operation Euphrates Shield or groups active in the area that are allied to the groups participating in the operation.[15][16] The general aim of the group is to assist Turkey in creating a "safe zone" in Syria and to establish a National Army, which will operate in the land gained as a result of Operation Euphrates Shield and the Hawar Kilis Operations Room.[17] They are opponents of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), ISIL and the Ba'athist Syria's Syrian Arab Army, though as of , they have had few engagements against the Syrian Army.[16] The TFSA also have a law enforcement equivalent, with the also Turkey-backed though separate from the TFSA, the Free Police.

International reaction

UN member states

Other

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sirwan Kajjo (2 March 2017). "Skirmishes Mar Fight Against IS in Northern Syria". Voice of America. Turkish occupation “is an existential threat to the Assad government's ability to reclaim the entirety of its territory, which is a key argument that regime loyalists make in their support of Bashar al-Assad's government,” Heras said.
  2. ↑ Robert Fisk (29 March 2017). "In northern Syria, defeated Isis fighters leave behind only scorched earth, trenches – and a crucifixion stand". The Independent. You can’t mistake the front line between the Syrian army and Turkey’s occupation force east of Aleppo.
  3. ↑ "Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army eliminates ‘terrorist microbes’ along Syrian border".
  4. ↑ "Turkey PM 'will support' Syria no-fly zone". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "Syrian opposition calls for no-fly zone". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  6. ↑ Tisdall, Simon (27 July 2015). "Syrian safe zone: US relents to Turkish demands after border crisis grows". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  7. ↑ "DIPLOMACY - US and Turkey agree to forge ‘ISIL-free zone’ in Syria, official confirms". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Solution to refugee crisis is to end Syria’s civil war, UN official says". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  9. ↑ Wintour, Patrick (16 February 2016). "Turkey revives plan for safe zone in Syria to stem flow of refugees". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  10. ↑ "National Security Zone". Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  11. ↑ "Fight against IS helps PKK gain global legitimacy - Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East". 16 September 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
  12. ↑ "U.S. denies reaching agreement with Turkey on Syria 'safe zone'". 11 August 2015. Retrieved 31 May 2016 – via Reuters.
  13. ↑ Suzan Fraser: Turkish leader threatens more involvement on Syrian border, The Washington Post, October 26 at 3:01 PM
  14. ↑ "Turkey-backed opposition to form new army in northern Syria".
  15. ↑ "Turkey-backed Free Syrian Army eliminates ‘terrorist microbes’ along Syrian border". RT. 5 September 2016.
  16. 1 2 Kajjo, Sirwan (25 August 2016). "Who are the Turkey backed Syrian Rebels?". Voice of America.
  17. ↑ Coskun, Orhan; Sezer, Seda (19 September 2016). "Turkey-backed rebels could push further south in Syria, Erdogan says". Reuters.
  18. ↑ sitesi, milliyet.com.tr Türkiye'nin lider haber. "AZERBAYCAN MİLLETVEKİLİ PAŞAYEVA:". MİLLİYET HABER – TÜRKİYE'NİN HABER SİTESİ. Retrieved 2016-09-20.
  19. ↑ "Cyprus House condemns Turkey's invasion of Syria". Famagusta Gazette. 9 September 2016. Retrieved 10 September 2016.
  20. ↑ "Iran urges Turkey to quickly end Syria intervention". France24. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  21. ↑ "Kurdish-backed council says Turkey's intervention to make Syrian town "grave for Erdoğan troops"". ARA News. 26 August 2016.
  22. ↑ Ahmad Zakaryya (10 February 2017). "Ahmad Al-Abdo Forces: "We Refuse Having Safe Zones If The Intent Is To Divide Syria"". RFS Media Office.
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