Turkey’s military operation into northern Syria has just launched on Wednesday days after President Donald Trump withdrew U.S. forces from the area and backed the movement.
LIVE: Turkey’s President Erdogan has announced start of Turkey’s military Operation Peace Spring in northeastern Syria https://t.co/ABvNKBvB7r
— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) October 9, 2019
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the operation in a tweet Wednesday morning in the U.S., saying, “The Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Syrian National Army, just launched #OperationPeaceSpring against PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorists in northern Syria,” referring to Kurdistan groups and ISIS.
The Turkish Armed Forces, together with the Syrian National Army, just launched #OperationPeaceSpring against PKK/YPG and Daesh terrorists in northern Syria. Our mission is to prevent the creation of a terror corridor across our southern border, and to bring peace to the area.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 9, 2019
“Our mission is to prevent the creation of a terror corridor across our southern border, and to bring peace to the area,” the tweeted.
“#OperationPeaceSpring will neutralize terror threats against Turkey and lead to the establishment of a safe zone, facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homes. We will preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and liberate local communities from terrorists,” another tweet added.
#OperationPeaceSpring will neutralize terror threats against Turkey and lead to the establishment of a safe zone, facilitating the return of Syrian refugees to their homes.
We will preserve Syria’s territorial integrity and liberate local communities from terrorists.
— Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (@RTErdogan) October 9, 2019
Preparations had completed at the Syrian border on Tuesday, with Turkey assembling a large convoy of military vehicles in preparation for the offensive to begin.
RAW: Turkey deploys tanks & equipment at Syrian border near the town of Akcakale, Sanliurfa province.
Ankara said on Tuesday that preparations for a military operation against the US-backed Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria were complete. pic.twitter.com/nuxTsnQCwI
— RT (@RT_com) October 9, 2019
The Syrian Democratic Forces, which have long been adversaries of Erdogan and Turkey, are mobilizing their forces along the border with Turkey.
The SDF had reported at least three ISIS sleeper cell attacks in Raqqa, prompting the group to call on nations around the world to “carry out their responsibilities and avoid a possible impending humanitarian disaster,” NBC News reported.
Video posted to Twitter shows Turkish jets taking off from an airbase.
Turkish jets take off from DIYARBAKIR airbase as Turkey begins operation to northeast Syria.#TurkeyKurds #SyriaCrisis pic.twitter.com/yEUOa82efb
— Syed Kashif Ali (@kashifaliraza) October 9, 2019
Another video shows two Turkish jets flying over northeastern Syria.
#Turkey jets in skies above #TalAbyad in NE #Syria.
Several #SDF positions reported hit on its outskirts. pic.twitter.com/dd352KHh7P— Riam Dalati (@Dalatrm) October 9, 2019
Numerous strikes and bombings have reportedly taken place already.
#BREAKING: #Turkey just launched #OperationPeaceSpring (#Barışpınarı/ #BarisPinari) for occupation of NE. #Syria & ethnic cleansing of its Kurdish population. #Turkish T-155 Fırtına howitzers & F-16Cs from 8nci AJÜ #Diyarbakir are shelling & bombing #SDF bases near the border. pic.twitter.com/paXcDpVc6R
— Air War (@TheAirWar) October 9, 2019
