Turkish army's Idlib action 'riskiest cross-border operation' to date
Experts list the possibility of confrontation between Turkey and Syria, a new influx of refugees and activity by radical groups as potential hazards of Turkey’s deployment into Idlib.
Turkey established its 12th and last military observation post in the opposition-held regions of Idlib province, in northern Syria, last week. The deployment of Turkish forces is based on an accord with Russia and Iran, which was agreed upon in Astana in September 2017, to establish “de-escalation zones” between opposition fighters and regime forces.
These zones give Turkey another military foothold in Syria just south of Afrin, which was captured from the Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) by the Turkish army and Free Syrian Army fighters in March.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared in January that Turkey would also control Idlib, with a view to settling Syrian refugees and displaced persons there, after the Turkish army completed its Operation Olive Branch in Afrin.
While Turkey appears to have made more military headway in Syria in this way, questions are being raised as to whether Ankara may be walking into a trap of its own making in Idlib.
