Izvestia: A Turkish operation could start in northeastern Syria at any moment

The Russian “Izvestia” newspaper considered that Turkey could no longer retreat from carrying out military action in Syria, after the torrent of statements that came out of the country’s senior leaders.

In an article titled “Kurdish Dispersion,” the director of the Center for the Study of the New Turkey, Yuri Moshev, spoke about Ankara’s readiness for a new military operation in Syria.

Moashev believes that “the Turkish armed forces’ operation in northeastern Syria, in the literal sense of the word, can start at any moment”.

He adds: “In any case, this is what can be inferred from the content of the leaflets, which were dropped, on October 18, by a Turkish drone over the town of Tal Rifaat, the stronghold of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units, which is hostile to Ankara”.

The writer assumes, that no agreement was reached on Syria at the recent summit between the Russian and Turkish presidents, Vladimir Putin and Recep Erdogan, in Sochi.

It is likely that the two presidents agreed to reach an agreement, which is not insignificant, given the number of players interested in the region and other international political variables, according to his opinion.

He adds: “However, for Turkey and its leadership, the situation has reached the point where it is difficult to retreat and lose face.

Ankara’s actions can be justified in part by the activities of the Syria Democratic Forces, allied with the People’s Protection Units, and backed by the United States”.

The writer pointed out that Washington provides them with weapons and trains them, and the administration of President Joseph Biden doesn’t intend to abandon this support, and that Turkish President Erdogan has repeatedly stressed that this is the main problem that threatens bilateral relations with the United States.

In this context, the writer stresses that “there is no alternative for Ankara to establish a dialogue with Damascus, and the same applies to strict adherence to the commitments it made regarding Idlib”.