Turkish Troops to Create De-Escalation Zones in Idlib

On October 12^th, Turkish troops crossed the border into Syria heading towards Idlib in northern Syria to begin a new operation in cooperation with rebel groups identified with the Free Syrian Army (FSA).

The new operation is focused on creating and enforcing de-escalation zones in Idlib to prevent any groups from fighting in the near future as well as setting up observation posts in order to help enforce the zones.

This operation is part of a deal created last month between Turkey, Russia and Iran to reduce fighting between insurgents and the Syrian government. Turkish forces’ primary objective will be to contain the Kurdish fighters from the People’s Protection Units (YPG) north of Idlib.

The Turkish troop deployment also reportedly aims to prevent a possible influx of Syrian refugees into Turkey and allow humanitarian aid to flow to those in need.

Over 100 Turkish soldiers including Special Forces entered Syria on 30 armored vehicles and more soldiers may be deployed in the next few days.

It is unclear which rebel groups associated with FSA are working with Turkey in this operation, but groups such as Free Idlib Army, which is made up of the 13th Division, the Northern Division and Mountain Falcons Brigade are known to operating within the Idlib province.

Idlib is largely controlled by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is linked to al-Qaeda. While HTS is opposed to the de-escalation agreement, the group agreed not to interfere with Turkish operations and led the Turkish convoy through Syria.

This shows that Turkey is working with Al-Qaeda affiliated groups even though last week there were reports that Turkish forces and HTS were shelling each other in Idlib province.

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which includes the YPG, accuse Turkey of coordinating and supporting HTS and preventing the spread of Kurdish forces rather than fighting terrorism like it claims.

To the north of Idlib, YPG fighters control Afrin. Turkey views the YPG as an extension of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) that it is fighting in Turkey and wants to keep the YPG from linking its regions in Syria and Turkey.

While the FSA is working with Turkish troops in this operation, the FSA doesn’t support Russia and denies any Russian involvement in the operation.

This is the fourth de-escalation zone to be created by Turkey, Iran and Russia in Syria. The zones already in place are in Eastern Ghouta near Damascus, in central Homs, and in parts of southern Syria.

Turkish troops will eventually set up observation posts in more than 10 areas, beginning in northern Idlib and gradually extending to the south.

This is one of Turkey’s biggest moves in the Syria conflict and is attempting to focus on diplomacy to avoid clashes. If Turkey is successful in this operation, it will be able to act as a check on Kurdish ambitions, while at the same time deliver humanitarian assistance, which had previously been halted due to the presence of terrorist groups in the region, and avoid the continued flow of refugees from Northern Syria into Turkey.