[401], Turkey reported that between 1957 and 1998, Turkish forces laid 615,419 antipersonnel mines along the Syrian border "to prevent illegal border crossings," These mines are killing Syrians stuck on the border or trying to cross near Kobani. [540], Mustafa Bali, head of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) said there were some agreements on the ground with the Syrian government, for Syrian forces to be deployed along the border. [439], Katrin Kunert, a German Parliamentarian from the Green Party leaked a classified document which showed that Turkey was delivering arms to Syrian rebel groups. In December 2015, Turkey rejected to join the anti-ISIL quartet of Syria, Iran, Iraq and Russia. [251][252] The U.S. asked for Turkey's support for the Manbij offensive, but Turkey had two demands that were rejected, namely that the forces in the offensive should leave the secular SDF umbrella, and that the U.S. should increase its airstrikes for jihadist groups Turkey supports. In addition, Turkish newspaper, Cumhuriyet, published video footage which it said showed security forces discovering weapons parts being sent to Syria on trucks belonging to the MIT state intelligence agency. 2 months of Operation Peace Spring: what now? [274] The proposal did not garner any real support from Washington or NATO allies who fear it would require an internationally patrolled no-fly zone and potentially put them in direct confrontation with Assad and his allies. [490] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan denied it. ", "Schlacht um syrische Grenzstadt: IS-Kämpfer greifen Kobane aus der Türkei an", "ISIL on 24-hour 'killing rampage' in Syria's Kobane", "Isis in Kobani: Why we ignore the worst of the massacres", "ISIS commits major massacre in Syria's Kobani: activists", "Syria crisis: IS re-enters Kurdish-held city of Kobane", "IS 'executes 23 Kurds' in village near Syria's Kobane", "Turkey attacks Kurdish fighters inside Syria", "Turkey confirms shelling Kurdish fighters in Syria", "IS militants tie captives to Palmyra columns, blow them up", "Turkey Confirms Strikes Against Kurdish Militias in Syria", "Turkey 'won't let' Azaz, Syria, fall to Kurdish militia, shells YPG targets for 3rd day", "Turkey shells advancing Kurds in Syria for third day", "Turkish military retaliates to PYD fire in northern Syria", "Turkey blames Kurdish militants for Ankara bomb, vows response in Syria and Iraq", "TSK: Saldırı trafik ışıklarında meydana geldi", "Keep PYD out of Syria truce deal: Erdoğan", "Turkey's Shelling of Kurds in Syria Will Continue, Erdogan Says", "Turkish military continues shelling PYD targets in northern Syria", "Syrian rebels say reinforcements get free passage via Turkey", "Syrian Kurdish YPG Turkish tanks shell its positions", "Turkey keeps shelling Kurds, backing terrorist groups in Syria – Russian MoD", "Arms supplied daily to Syria militants via Turkey border: Russia", "Al-Nusra militants in Syria shell Turkey to prompt return fire – Russian military", "Military council formed and announced on Tishrin Dam, statement says: "We will make every effort to capture Manbij, "Several SDF factions have formed the military council for Manbij", "Turkey has two demands from US for support in Manbij operation: Sources", "Turkey not contributing to U.S.-backed Syria operation near Manbij: source", "Turkey not contributing to US-backed Syria operation near Manbij: Source", "Ignoring Turkey, U.S. backs Kurds in drive against ISIS in Syria", "Mysterious American Flags In Northern Syria Were Planted By U.S. How the NFL forgot its greatest black pioneer, 2019 vs 2020: Images from a Hong Kong gone quiet, C$1m cash seized in 'illegal casino' mansion raid. [228] The ISIL fighters were reported to have disguised themselves as Kurdish security forces, before entering the town and shooting civilians with assault rifles and RPGs. Mr Trump responded by saying US troops based in the area would not support or be involved in the operation, it said. [319] On 11 November, Erdoğan stated the goal and roadmap of the intervention as "expanding the controlled area to cover 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi) including Bab, Manbij and Tell Rifaat, creating a national structure and army for this expanded area to provide solid control and to allow the refugees return to these areas jointly with EU, and after these, focusing on IS's de facto capital Raqqa and PYD. [375] According to journalist Patrick Cockburn, writing in late 2014, there is "strong evidence for a degree of collaboration" between the Turkish intelligence services and ISIL, although the "exact nature of the relationship ... remains cloudy". Turkey v Syria's Kurds: The short, medium and long story, Syria war: Why Turkey's battle for northern Syria matters, The rise and fall of the Islamic State group: The long and short story, Turkey says three million could return to safe zone in Syria, Trump and Melania test positive for coronavirus. [133] Al-Ahram reported that President Obama of the United States chose not to confront Saudi Arabia and Qatar over the issue at a May 2015 meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council, although al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham troops made up 90% of the troops in the Idlib region, where they were making substantial gains against the Assad government. [549], At a meeting in Damascus, Russian and Syrian officials clearly stated their support for Syria regaining control over all of its territory. The border crossing remained open until Kurdish forces took control of the town (Tell Abyad offensive), at which point Turkey promptly sealed it. "[322] On 27 January 2017, after the multilateral peace talks in Astana, the President of the Republic of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, said that "we should not go deeper than Al-Bab" and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated that "there are different opinions about YPG and Hezbollah. [273], In the wake of the major military advances that Syrian government forces and Syrian Democratic Forces made against jihadists during the Northern Aleppo offensive (February 2016), Ankara called for a safe zone and "No-fly zone", "free from clashes", in northern Aleppo governorate. From Zionist plots to CIA conspiracies, Turkey's favorite pastime is believing that the world is out to get it", "HDP leader says Ankara has 'neither the power nor means' to eliminate Kurdish movement", "The U.S. should accept a Syrian Kurdish region, says Turkish opposition leader", "Turkish President Erdoğan says airstrikes not enough to save Kobane", "Wrap up: At least 26 killed in ISIL protests across Turkey as curfew declared in six provinces – LOCAL", "Tear gas, clashes, fatality: Anti-ISIS rally in Turkey turns violent (PHOTOS)", "22 killed in protests against ISIL siege of Kurdish town", "ISIL shells Syrian border crossing with Turkey in Kobani offensive", "Erdoğan: What does Kobani have to do with Turkey? US officials have said that some of the actions in these videos probably constitute war crimes. ... We do not want to fight Turkey. [173][174], On 19 March 2016, a suicide bombing took place in Istanbul's Beyoğlu district in front of the district governor's office. On 3 February 2020, Syrian and Turkish forces exchanged fire in Idlib, Latakia and the northern Aleppo countryside during the 5th northwestern Syria offensive. [463][464] In addition, in an interview at 2018, the former Turkish National Police official, Ahmet Yayla, said that the MIT has used Turkey's IHH as an intermediary to arm Islamist terrorists. "[499] A deep sense of betrayal by their once American allies has come to be felt among the Syrian Kurdish populace. Troops, Pentagon Says", "Turkey prepares for bigger role in fight against Islamic State", "Turkish tanks take up position on Syrian border next to besieged Kurdish town", "Syria and Iraq motions expected to come to Parliament on Tuesday", "Turkey to give army greater cross-border authorization", "Turkey to fight Islamic State, Erdogan says", "Parliament passes mandate to send troops into Iraq and Syria", "Turkey will 'never allow' Kurdish state in Syria: Erdogan", "Drawing in the neighbours | The Economist", "Jordan is mulling a significant military intervention in southern Syria", "Army asks gov't to work out political and diplomatic avenues before Syria incursion", "Turkish Foreign Minister: Possible Syria operations to be announced after MGK meeting – DIPLOMACY", "Turkey's security council convenes amid talk of Syria invasion", "Turkey believed to invade Syria within the week", "Turkey mulls bombing ISIL without sending troops to Syria", "Turkey seeks to calm speculation over Syria invasion", "Turkey proposes 'secure strip' inside Syria to protect border and refugees", "Turkey is pressing for ground operations in Syria, hoping for the involvement of the US and other allies", "The Latest: Hezbollah Leader Slams Turkey, Saudi Arabia", "Turkey sends tanks into Syria to battle ISIS", "Turkey shells ISIS & Kurdish positions in Syria", "Turkey shells IS, Kurdish positions in northern Syria", "Turkey, US-led coalition launch major operation in northern Syria", "Turkish tanks, special forces launch first major push into Syria to battle IS", "Erdogan says Syria operation aimed at IS jihadists, Kurdish PYD", "Turkish army-backed rebels advance inside Syria on ISIL", "Turkish-backed rebels fight US-backed rebels in Aleppo", "Turkey sends tanks into Syria in operation aimed at Isis and Kurds", "Turkey's Syria offensive aimed at Kurdish YPG", "Turkey entered Syria to end al-Assad's rule: President Erdoğan", "Turkey announces start of Idlib operation", "Turkey launches operation in Syria 'for security, Turkey to continue Euphrates Shield operation in northern Syria: Erdogan, "The number of Turkish soldiers killed by regime fire on "Tarnabeh" military post rises to eight • The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights", "8 Turkish personnel, 13 Syrian troops killed in north Syria", "Turkey, Russia Can Tackle Syria Escalation 'Without Anger': Erdogan", "Regime helicopter downed in northwestern Syria", "At least 33 Turkish soldiers killed in an air attack by Syrian regime, Turkish governor says", "Turkish forces and proxy factions capture Saraqeb city, cutting off Damascus-Aleppo international highway", "Erdogan renews threat to hit Syrian troops to stop advance in Idlib", "Turkey launches Operation Spring Shield", EU countries welcome Syria ceasefire, urge aid access - latest updates, "Syria war: Russia and Turkey agree Idlib ceasefire", "Erdoğan'dan Fırat operasyonu çıkışı: Nereye gitmemiz gerekiyorsa gideceğiz", "Obama Administration Considers Arming Syrian Kurds Against ISIS", "Erdoğan: ABD 3 gün önce Kobani'ye silah gönderdi", "Turkey bombs Kurdish positions near Syria's Tel Abyad", "US sending arms to Kurdish-led SDF in Syria, Turkey's Erdoğan outraged", "Turkey welcomes withdrawal of Syrian Kurdish fighters from Manbij – Deputy PM", "Cerablus Operasyonu: Suriye'ye takviye zırhlı birlikler sevk edildi", "Çavuşoğlu'ndan ABD'ye: YPG'yi Münbiç'ten ya gönderemiyor, ya göndermek istemiyor", "Turkey says U.S. must ensure Kurdish militia withdraws to east of the Euphrates", "PYD/YPG are PKK under other names: PM Yildirim", "قوات سوريا الديمقراطية ترفض اي مشاركة تركية بتحرير الرقة", "Report: Trump administration scraps Obama's plan to retake Raqqa", "Syrian Kurdish YPG to be removed from Manbij, Turkey's Erdoğan says", "Turkey's Erdoğan struggles to realise his Middle East ambitions", "Turkey resolute to clear Syria's Manbij of PYD/PKK", "Turkey's military operations in Syria targets Manbij not Aleppo: President Erdoğan", "Erdogan reasserts Turkey's role in wars in Syria and Iraq", "Cumhurbaşkanı Erdoğan: Ladin için mahkeme kararı mı vardı", "US Assistant Secretary of Defense tells Turkey: only ISIS a target, not Kurds", "Erdoğan: OHAL'de seçim olmaz diye bir şey yok", "Germany refuses Turkish demand for access to imagery from the campaign against Islamic State", "Turkish jets strike Kurdish fighters in Syria, Iraq's Sinjar", "Syria summit: call for 'lasting ceasefire' at last rebel-held stronghold, Idlib", "Turkey Strikes Kurdish Positions in Northern Syria", "Turkey primed to start offensive against US-backed Kurds in Syria", "US voices 'grave concern' over Turkey's planned Syria operation - Turkey News", "Erdoğan, Trump discuss Syria as Turkey warns of new military operation - Turkey News", "Turkey ready to take over Syria's Manbij, Erdogan tells Trump", "US-led coalition praises SDF's anti-ISIS efforts amid Turkish threats", "President al-Assad: Failure of Western states and Turkey in the battle in Aleppo means failure of outside project and the transformation of the course of the war in Syria", Turkey summons Russian, Iranian envoys over Syrian regime strikes in Idlib, "Milli Savunma Bakanı Fikri Işık sınırda (, "Iraq-Turkey tension rises amid battle for Mosul", "Abadi warns Turkey: Don't enter Iraq or you will pay the price", "Next phase of Euphrates Shield operation to include Iraq: President Erdoğan", "Turkey denies giving U.S. access to Incirlik airbase", "Isis air strikes: Tensions grow between Ankara and Washington over use of air bases for attacks", "Turkey lets U.S. strike Islamic State from Incirlik base: U.S.", "Saudi war planes begin arriving at Turkey's Incirlik air base", "Partial no-fly zone included in US-Turkey consensus: Turkish sources", "Report: Turkey-US Airbase Deal Envisages Syria No-Fly Zone", "The families of US personnel left İncirlik airbase", "Danish jets stationed at Turkey's İncirlik bomb ISIL for the first time", "Syria war: Turkey anger over US commando photos", "Turkey wants ops with US in Syria, no plan yet", "MIDEAST – Turkmens escape to Turkey from Russian, al-Assad fire in Syria", "Turkish air forces on alert after alleged airspace violation by Russian warplane", "Russia and Turkey trade accusations over Syria", "Turkish PM: Turkey will not comply with Syrian cease-fire if under threat", "Navigator Rescued After Turkey Shot Down Warplane, Russia Says", "Turkey rejected joining anti-ISIL quartet in Baghdad due to Assad, says Erdoğan", "I will resign if evidence of link between Turkey, ISIL emerges: Turkish FM", "Al-Nusra Front in Syria gets daily weapons supplies from Turkey – Russian military", "Russia: Turkish Troops in Syria for Operation Against Kurds", "Lavrov: Russia has evidence Turkish troops on Syrian territory", "Turkish military denies Russian claims of Turkish deployment inside Syria", "Russia and Turkey to 'coordinate' Syria policy", "Turkish PM says Assad must go before any change in Turkey's stance – DIPLOMACY", "Syrian refugee camps in Turkish territory tracked by satellite", "Syria Regional Refugee Response: Turkey", "Syrian Kurds continue to blame Turkey for backing ISIS militants", "Kurdish security chief: Turkey must end support for jihadists", "Turkey accused of allowing Islamic State fighters to cross its border in Kobane attack", "Kobane attackers came from Turkey, claims Turkey's main Kurdish party", "Islamic State fighter: 'Turkey paved the way for us, "In Turkey, a late crackdown on Islamist fighters", "ISIS Fighters Seen Mingling with Turkish Soldiers Near Kobani Border [VIDEO]", "Kurds volunteering to fight Isis turned away at Turkish border – video", "Joe Biden apologised over IS remarks, but was he right?