Erdogan: Turkey Will Set Up Presence Across Northeast Syria

12 observation posts will span entire safe zone

In comments on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that Turkey intends to establish a dozen “observation posts” across the north Syria safe zone. He reiterated that this would span 300 miles across northeast Syria.

These comments are just the latest indication that Turkey intends not just to chase the Kurds out of northeastern Syria, but are envisioning staying there. US officials have confirmed that they view Turkey as primarily in charge of this safe zone.

The 12 posts will effectively be Turkish bases established across the safe zone to make sure that one one enters their vast new territory, other than Turkish-backed rebel fighters of course, to threaten control of the area.

This broad span of Turkish-controlled territory is intended to go 30 km into Syria, though Erdogan has since expanded it to 32 km in parts, so as to try to kick the Kurds out of some other areas. It is possible that the offensive will continue beyond that, deeper into Kurdish-held territory.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.