The Turkish Government has confirmed that its special forces have entered Syria on a reconnaissance mission. It is highly unusual for the Turkish government to announce a special forces operation. Reporters believe that announcing the operation was an effort to deter ISIS members from carrying out the almost daily attacks on Kilis, a Turkish border province.
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Kilis has been hit by rockets from ISIS controlled areas in Syria on an almost daily basis for nearly two weeks. The attacks began at the beginning of this year. Over 20 people have been have killed and many more have been wounded.
The Turkish governement has responded by killing 55 ISIS members in the Baragitah area of northern Syria on Saturday. The Turkish governement also claims to have destroyed three rocket launchers and three vehicles belonging to ISIS. Stefanie Dekker, a reporter for Al Jazeera, reported that residents in the area are fed up with the bombings and are desperate for an end to the death and destruction. Dekker believes the Turkish government is working proactively to end the bombings. She stated to Turkish media:
“I think the Turkish government is sending a message to the residents of Kilis with this operation. They are saying that they are actually trying to do something to make it stop.”
Kilis is located directly across the border from an ISIS controlled area and sees massive destruction as a result. It is the only province in Turkey where Syrian refugees outnumber the local inhabitants. It is believed that there are approximately 100,000 refugees currently populating Killis. Kilis has proved to offer little security for the refugees fleeing their homes in Syria for safety. Locals and refugees alike are fed up with the bombings and are hoping the Turkish government’s offensive strikes will put an end to, or reduce, the number of bombings.
Do you think the Turkish governement is doing enough to end the daily bombings in Kilis? Sound off in the comment section below!
