Storm on the Horizon: Is A Turkish ‘Ground Invasion’ of Syria Looming?
SputnikNews.com
21.01.2016
Various reports indicate that Ankara could soon (if it has not already) launch a ground operation in neighboring Syria, which, some say, will target Daesh fighters, but many fear that it will instead be focused on the Kurds – one of the main forces trying to defeat the brutal group.
Turkey, which has long been criticized for doing too little to tackle Daesh, is reportedly planning to create a buffer zone on its border with Syria, Stratfor reported on Tuesday. These efforts could already be underway – Turkish forces have started to clear mines along the border near the Syrian town of Jarabulus, which is currently controlled by Daesh.
“Turkey has already begun to ramp up its artillery strikes along its border with Syria to help its rebel allies and to destroy Islamic State targets. This could indicate an effort to soften enemy defenses ahead of a Turkish ground incursion once minesweeping operations have been completed,” the Texas-based think tank explained.
On Wednesday, reports emerged that Turkish forces had in fact crossed into Syria near Jarabulus. Anonymous security sources in Turkey later denied that it happened.
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